.jpg)
8 hours ago
1
Tottenham Hotspur bagged a 2-0 win against Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of the Europa League semifinal last night, booking their spot in the final.
The upcoming Europa League final will mark to be Tottenham's first European final since 2019, when they were defeated by Liverpool in the Champions League.
With their last title being in 2007–08, which was the EFL Cup, it is needless to say that the stakes are high for Spurs to claim the Europa League title this season.
The trophy drought and their underwhelming performance in the ongoing Premier League campaign have also brought heavy criticism against Tottenham. Spurs currently stand 16th in the league table with 38 points and three matches remaining.
Tottenham were knocked out of the EFL Cup semifinal and then from the FA Cup fourth round, leaving the Europa League as their only shot at salvaging the ongoing campaign.
Despite their advancement to the Europa League final, criticism prevailed about Spurs' current form, with some questioning the qualification. Now, Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has hit back at the critics, while also aiming a dig at the top three Premier League clubs.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
What did Ange Postecoglou say about Tottenham reaching Europa League final?
While addressing the press after the 5-1 on aggregate win last night, Postecoglou crushed (comments via BBC Sport) the criticism about Tottenham making it to the Europa League final despite their bad run this season, with a simple question.
"If it's so easy to get to a final, then why doesn't everyone who finishes in the top three do it?" he asked.
Liverpool have already claimed the Premier League title this season. However, the Reds had their fair share of eliminations, including from the FA Cup fourth round and the Champions League Round of 16. They also lost the EFL Cup final to Newcastle United.
Arsenal currently stand second in the league table and were eliminated from the Champions League semifinal this week. The Gunners were also knocked out of the EFL Cup semifinal and the FA Cup third round, with no hopes of silverware remaining for the season.
Man City are now third in the Premier League table, with hopes of winning the FA Cup and ensuring a Champions League qualification for next season. They could not advance beyond the Round of 16 in the EFL Cup and the playoffs in the Champions League.
Postecoglou acknowledged (comments via Sky Sports) Tottenham's shortcomings this season but made it clear that their form does not 'diminish the achievement of getting to a final.'
"We understand our league form hasn't been great. We understand the struggles we've had. A lot of them are because of the situation we've been in. But how that diminishes the achievement of getting to a final... This club and others have finished first, second or third in the Premier League and haven't made finals. I couldn't care less," said Postecoglou.
Along with Tottenham, Man United have also earned a spot in the Europa League final, which is slated for May 21, at San Mames.
English (US)