Bodo/Glimt player starts war of words with Tottenham who ‘will collapse’ in Norway
Bodo/Glimt players are confident of turning the semi-final Europa League tie around, as they talk down Tottenham’s pressing ahead of the second leg in Norway.
Given how well Tottenham Hotspur performed in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie, the expectation is that the Lilywhites see it out in Norway.
Tottenham have a two-goal advantage, which could have been more had they taken their chances and killed the tie off in north London.
However, with the fixture still finely poised at 3-1, Bodo/Glimt players remain confident that they can turn the tide in front of their home fans at the Aspmyra Stadion.
Bodo/Glimt players talk down Tottenham press ahead of second leg
After the match, defender Fredrik Sjovold spoke to Avisa Nordland about Spurs‘ pressing and the weakness he believes he has spotted in their system.
The defender argued that Tottenham’s press is vulnerable and not much better than what is seen from mid-table Eliteserien sides.
He said, relayed by VG: “We just have to play simple and not give the ball away too easily. I think their pressure will collapse pretty quickly. Then we can cause trouble.
“It is a very good team and they are good with the ball, but the pressure is no better than an okay Eliteserien team. It is possible to play it out.”
Defender Jostein Gundersen echoed similar thoughts, insisting that it is often more difficult to break down teams in the Eliteserien during that phase of play.
The defender said: “It is often more difficult to break down Eliteserien teams in that phase of the game.”
Midfielder Ulrik Saltnes also highlighted how disjointed Spurs’ pressing has been and feels confident they can take advantage of it in the second leg.
He said: “I would say that it is possible to exploit. It is something we have figured out quite well, and which I hope we can exploit even more in the home game.”
Ange Postecoglou not fazed by Bodo/Glimt talk as Spurs eye final
While the Bodo/Glimt players are convinced that there is a flaw in Tottenham’s game, Ange Postecoglou remains adamant that his side will finish the job when they travel to Norway.
The Tottenham boss made it clear that all his players need to do is replicate their first-leg performance, and they will be on their way to a European final.
He said after the first leg: “Yeah, I think it puts us in a good position. I thought the players were outstanding today, I thought our performance was everything it needed to be, really well organised and disciplined defensively and really calm going forward and created good opportunities for ourselves and maintained pressure.
“Obviously, they scored the goal late, which does not I think reflect our dominance in the game, but if we repeat that performance next week and it will be enough for us to get through.”
Of course, the mind games have started and the Bodo/Glimt players are clearly trying to get in the heads of the Spurs squad – Tottenham just need to focus, play their football and the advantage should tell.
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