Tottenham has found a sort of refuge in European football during a turbulent season. While their Premier League efforts have been challenging, they seem to transform when facing continental teams. Their journey to the Europa League semi-finals included a notable win against Eintracht Frankfurt, relying on a gritty performance in the second leg.
Yet, the calm that has surrounded Ange Postecoglou since January is bound to shatter eventually. This is a test of courage, particularly as pressure mounts—a defining moment in the club’s narrative. Postecoglou, distinct from Tottenham’s historical image of underperforming, faced criticism after a setback against Bodø/Glimt, which could jeopardize his position by Friday morning. He needs to prepare his squad for the unique challenges posed by Kjetil Knutsen’s team. Injuries have plagued the Spurs this season, leaving them to navigate the absence of two key midfielders, Lucas Bergvall and James Madison, at crucial junctures.
Bergvall and Madison have now been sidelined for three months since sustaining knee injuries in the first leg last week. Fortunately, Ulrik Saltness’s late goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has kept the tie alive. Bodø’s team has rebounded from a 3-1 deficit and boasts returning players from suspension, thriving in their compact home ground with artificial turf and tough conditions. Earlier this season, both Lazio and Olympiacos fell to them, and Postecoglou knows how capable the Norwegian side can be; he experienced their prowess firsthand three years ago with Celtic.
Bodø/Glimt is aware of Spurs’ struggles on artificial pitches, demonstrated when they faced Tamworth in the FA Cup. The players felt the surface at Aspmira during Wednesday’s training session. Meanwhile, Knutsen has criticized Bodø’s right-back Fredrik Sjøvold, implying it’s straightforward to exploit Spurs’ press. Postecoglou remains unfazed: “It’s fine. Tomorrow, all will be revealed.”
Now, it’s go time. The Spurs have already had to adjust after losing Bergvall to an ankle injury before their first leg. Yves Bissouma returned and formed a solid defensive midfield alongside Rodrigo Bentancur. Madison directed play, while the front trio of Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson worked well together.
However, things took a turn for the worse when they lost Madison and Solanke. Madison, who started the season strong, had been hitting his stride in recent weeks, consistently breaking lines and sparking creative play. Bergvall brought dynamism and ball control to the pitch too.
The pressing question now is whether Spurs can maintain possession without this crucial duo. Without them, the pressure from Bodø/Glimt could escalate. Postecoglou will need Heung-Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski to rise to the occasion. Kulusevski performed well for Madison, particularly before Christmas, but has struggled to regain his form after a leg injury, evident in a recent 1-1 draw against West Ham.
Now isn’t the time for excuses. The Spurs are familiar with the chatter about their mental fragility. Postecoglou aims to cultivate a siege mentality. He even referenced former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, quipping that Europa League champions shouldn’t qualify for the Champions League.
“The Spurs can drive people a bit insane,” Postecoglou remarked, emphasizing that his squad faces stricter scrutiny than their competitors. There’s no better venue to silence doubters than in the challenging atmosphere of northern Norway.
