Yves Bissouma is hoping to repay the faith shown by Ange Postecoglou when Tottenham take on Manchester United in season-defining Europa League final on Wednesday night
Yves Bissouma insists Ange Postecoglou deserves heaps of praise for absorbing so much criticism to protect his players. And the midfielder hopes injury-hit Spurs can repay the faith of “Uncle Ange” by delivering a first trophy in 17 years by defeating Manchester United in Wednesday’s Europa League final.
Bissouma has drifted in and out of Postecoglou’s strongest XI during a season that he admits “has been hard for me personally” but the absences of Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall means he is close to a dead cert to start in Bilbao.
Postecoglou goes into the game knowing that even a win might not keep him in position for next season because of their nightmare league campaign, though it has been severely impacted by an injury crisis he previously described as “unprecedented.”
But Bissouma is full of thanks for the Australian because he has taken the blows for the players when their performances have fallen below expectations.
“He’s always protecting us,” Bissouma said. “Every game, when we lose or win. He’s got a top mentality. He understands football. He knows it’s up and down. He never blames players. To have a coach like him is something.
“At the same time, with him, we are working hard. We want to improve every game and every training because it’s really important for us and the club. We’re all here for the club, for the same reason. It’s necessary to be together.”
Bissouma began the season serving a club suspension because of a video posted on social media in which he appeared to inhale laughing gas. And while he politely says he does not feel ready to discuss that topic, he insists his relationship with Postecoglou has not changed since they first started working together.
“He’s like a dad or uncle for us,” Bissouma adds. “He’s always trying to make us understand what he really wants. For us, he’s Ange, he’s him. He’s got his idea. He’s trying to help us every time. It’s not easy (the style of play), especially at the start.”
Bissouma admits spending a lot of time as a substitute has been tough to get used to but his commitment and readiness has never dropped.
“The most important thing is if the team does good,” he adds. “I’m here to work and when my time comes, I play. As a professional, you have to be ready. You have to understand it’s not just yourself – you are part of a group. You can’t control things sometimes.
“The only thing I know is, you have to work hard and never give up and be ready when your team needs you. That’s what I’m always trying to do. In the hard moments, you have to be strong because it’s not easy.”
Last month Postecoglou took the Malian aside – before the injuries to Maddison, Bergvall and Kulusevski – to say that he would be needed to make a big impact before the campaign is out.
And having played every minute of the semi-final against Bodo/Glimt – which he describes as the best night of his life – nothing but his best will be required to defeat United.
“We know what we have to do. We have to win this cup,” he adds, but looking forward he wants Spurs fans to know there is so much more to come. “Of course there is. I’m still learning.”