.png)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou remains unwavering in his assertion that he wins trophies in his second season at a club, as his team prepares for a crucial Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar. With Spurs trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the Netherlands, their hopes of securing silverware this season hinge on overturning the deficit at home.
Despite being out of both domestic cup competitions and trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by a significant margin, Postecoglou is confident his squad can rise to the occasion. His statement about winning trophies in his second year—based on past success with Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic—has been scrutinized, but the Australian coach insists he was simply stating facts.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Postecoglou dismissed any notion of additional pressure. “No, no extra pressure. We were obviously disappointed with our first-leg performance, but we kept ourselves in the tie,” he said. “They have the advantage, but playing at home, if we bring the intensity and tempo we showed over the weekend, we’ll have a chance to progress.”
Postecoglou’s leadership is being tested amid Tottenham’s inconsistent run, compounded by an injury crisis that has hampered their season. However, there is a boost for the team, as key defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are available to start together for the first time since December. While Romero played an hour against Bournemouth in their recent 2-2 draw, Van de Ven was eased back into action with a 30-minute cameo.
The Spurs boss is also counting on his leadership group—comprising goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Romero, and Son Heung-min—to guide the team through this pivotal moment. “You want your experienced players to step up in these games. We’ve relied on our younger players, but having the likes of Romero, Maddison, Vicario, and Sonny out there will be hugely beneficial,” Postecoglou added.
As Tottenham prepares for what could be a season-defining night, Postecoglou remains defiant about his earlier claim regarding second-season success. “I wasn’t making anything up,” he reiterated. “If it doesn’t happen this year, then I can’t say it next year, can I?”
With a place in the Europa League quarterfinals on the line, all eyes will be on Spurs to see if they can deliver when it matters most.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @spursofficial, Unsplash / Sung Jin Cho
