Five things we learned as Tottenham book a Europa League final spot
Tottenham Hotspur had a job to do in Norway on Thursday evening and a 2-0 away win over Bodo/Glimt was more than enough to book a place in the Europa League final.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham are in the Europa League final
Tottenham Hotspur are through to the Europa League final. Tottenham Hotspur are through to the Europa League final. Tottenham Hotspur are through to the Europa League final. Shall we write it out a few more times? After enduring arguably the worst Premier League season in the club’s history, Spurs fans are finally being treated, but it is very much a case of all or nothing.
On the one hand, Tottenham could end their 17-year trophy drought, lift a European trophy, book a place in the 2025/26 Champions League, boost their summer transfer funds, and even set up a clash with PSG or Inter Milan in the UEFA Super Cup. On the other hand, if Spurs lose the final, they finish the season with absolutely nothing, heading into the summer with little money to spend, a new manager hunt, no Europe for next season, an 18-plus-year trophy drought, and a tough task to convince new players to join.
Tottenham Hotspur – would you have it any other way?
Bentancur and Bissouma solid in midfield
Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield is peaking at just the right time. We all know that Rodrigo Bentancur was immense during his first year in North London, but he never rediscovered those high levels after his long-term injury. We are now finally seeing the Uruguayan back to his best, controlling games with ease and ticking Tottenham over expertly, even under pressure in the engine room.
Perhaps even more surprising is a return to form for Yves Bissouma. The Mali international has been pretty shocking all season and lost his place in the XI to a teenager who played his football in Sweden last season. However, with injuries to James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall, the former Brighton man has been thrust back into the limelight and has been one of Tottenham’s best players over the two legs against Bodo/Glimt. Of course, Man United in the final will be a very different task, and one Bissouma must rise to.
Tottenham’s slight worry over Dejan Kulusevski
The one slight worry in midfield comes in the form of Dejan Kulusevski. Maddison and Bergvall have been Tottenham’s main creative forces in the second half of the season. Despite Kulusevski being Spurs’ player of the season in the first six months of the campaign, he has been sleepwalking since his return from injury last month. James Maddison is out injured for the rest of the season, while Lucas Bergvall will also miss the Europa League final through injury. That means Kulusevski is guaranteed to start in the number 10 position and Spurs will rely on his creativity against Man United in the final third.
The Sweden international once again struggled with the pace and physicality a little on Bodo/Glimt’s artificial pitch. While he got through plenty of hard work, he lacked his usual flair, drive, and creativity on the ball, particularly in the attacking half. The fact that Maddison was just hitting superb form before his injury also leaves Deki with big shoes to fill. That means Tottenham have two weeks to get him into the best physical window possible for the final in Bilbao.
Micky Van de Ven and Romero masterclass
Cristian Romero may want to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but lifting a European trophy would be an incredible way to leave. Missing both Romero and Micky Van de Ven has been the story of Spurs’ season. With them, Ange-ball at least looks possible. Without them, it simply falls apart. This evening, we saw the very best version of both players. Some may dismiss it as ‘only Bodo/Glimt’ but the Norwegian side have scored in every single home game in 2025 so far… until Cristian and Micky came to town.
Romero has always been a player who flits between world-class and a liability – tonight was most certainly the former. He was aggressive in all the best ways without stepping over the line. He was positive with his passing and took no risks with Spurs’ two-goal lead. He even got up to win a header from a corner that set up Tottenham’s all-important opener.
Van de Ven, on the other hand, was superb from start to finish. He used his pace to great effect on the few times Bodo/Glimt got in behind, but it was his positioning in and around the box that impressed us most. What is usually the weakest part of his game was a real strength today and that should be applauded.
Now, one more titanic performance is needed on May 21st!
Spurs’ uninverted full-backs are a weapon
When Ange Postecoglou first arrived in North London, inverted full-backs were a huge part of his game, with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie often taking up positions as extreme as number 10s. However, in recent weeks, we have seen them be at their season best in wider positions, with Udogie overlapping to provide width and Porro hanging back to make the most out of his dangerous crossing and playmaking ability. That slightly lopsided approach is working wonders for Tottenham, with the win over Bodo/Glimt being a prime example. Hopefully, Postecoglou sticks with it for the final!
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