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Bodo/Glimt vs Spurs LIVE! Europa League semi-final second leg - match updates, commentary and analysis

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Rodrigo Bentancur exclusive interview: Spurs out to win Europa League for James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall

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It is 17 years since Tottenham last claimed silverware but Rodrigo Bentancur knows the feeling well. He reached double figures for trophies with Boca Juniors and Juventus. Now he hopes his experience will help Spurs over the line in the Europa League.

He has certainly played his part so far. A cool head in midfield who brings tenacity as well as composure, Bentancur has been key during their run to the last four. They will need his knowhow again in Thursday's semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt.

"We have spoken about age and the number of games played," says the Uruguay international, who, at 27, has already racked up more than 400 senior appearances for club and country.

"More than anything, I try to share my experiences with the younger players. I have moments on the pitch where I get angry, but I am a very calm person and player and I try to enjoy the moment.

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"It's my first European semi-final, so it's my first time too, but I will try to enjoy it to the maximum and I will try to transmit the experiences I have had at other clubs to my younger team-mates.

"Above all, I will tell them to enjoy it. These moments are unique and they pass very quickly, so try to do the best you can. If you are happy and focused, things will turn out well for you."

It has not been easy for Spurs to maintain happiness and focus during a hugely disappointing domestic season. But their Europa League campaign has provided respite. Bentancur insists Ange Postecoglou and his players have shut out the external noise.

"The manager has a very calm personality, like me," he says. "He tries to be very close to us, to get his calmness across to the players and make sure we play the game he wants, which I believe we have done and are doing very well. So, go to their stadium and be aggressive with our pressing, especially high up the pitch.

"It's going to be a new experience, on an artificial pitch, but the manager is calm and we have created a bubble, being united, happy and content and approaching the game in the best possible way."

Spurs are in a strong position to advance to the final after their 3-1 first-leg win in London but Bentancur is eager to stress that even winning the competition would not make them complacent about the need for major improvement domestically.

"It's not been a good season," he says. "That's reflected in our results and in the table. It's not what we wanted. It wasn't the objective at the start of the season." What does he put it down to? "We have had periods with lots of injuries when players have had to play a lot of games consecutively without any alternatives available," he adds.

"Those players did very well, but that's one of the big reasons it has been a difficult season. It doesn't feel good because it makes you think that, individually, you're not giving your best level for the team. But the situations with injuries have influenced a lot of things.

"Our objectives have changed now. With the Europa League to play for, the manager has decided to make a lot of changes for the Premier League games." There were eight of them against West Ham on Sunday, with Bentancur among those rested. "But we know it hasn't been a good season," he continues. "We are very clear on that.

"We know that, if we want to be among the top teams, we have to try to compete in all competitions and be at our best in all of them.

"We also know that we are going to have to change things next season, but we will have time to think about that. Right now, we are very focused on the game on Thursday. You don't play many semi-finals in a football career. We have to give our best to bring happiness to the fans because I believe they deserve it."

Can Spurs do it without Bergvall, Maddison?

Their task has been made harder by season-ending injuries to Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison, whose absences leave Bentancur shouldering even more responsibility. Not that he sees it that way as he talks up the quality of their potential replacements in midfield.

"We have players who can play the same role as Lucas, like Bissou [Yves Bissouma] did when he played alongside me in the first leg," says Bentancur. "He had an exceptional game and he was incredible again at the weekend as well.

"Then Kulu [Dejan Kulusevski] has played many times in the role Maddison plays, and I have done it at times as well.

"So, we have players who can do it. Of course, it's a shame they are missing the game because you don't play a European semi-final every year. But we are going to try and win it for them because they have been doing their best for the team all year.

"We feel sad for them, but the group is doing well, very focused, very committed and really looking forward to Thursday. We are taking it very seriously and with the personality you need against a side like Bodo, who have a great team and have shown that throughout their Europa League campaign.

"They showed it here against us as well. They played well. We are going to give them the respect they deserve but we are going to go there to win the game."

Spurs should really be out of sight already after a dominant first-leg showing but Bodo/Glimt's late goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has given them a lifeline and they also have the advantage of their artificial pitch. Kjetil Knutsen's side have won all but one of their seven Europa League home games this season.

Spurs opted not to train on their own artificial pitches at Hotspur Way in preparation for the game, instead making plans to train on the surface itself after arriving in Norway on Wednesday.

"It's a change, it's different, but these things come up in football," says Bentancur. "It's not like we have never played on artificial pitches before. You lose the habit a bit, but it's normal.

"They have done very well in Europe and in their domestic league. They are very good at home but they have shown it away from home too. So, we won't underestimate them. But we are going to go there to play our game and produce our best performance."

Will they allow themselves to contemplate what might come next, with a place in the final at stake? "When we spoke about objectives at the start of the season, one of them was to win this competition, but I don't want to get ahead of ourselves," says Bentancur.

"Thursday is our biggest game of the season. I believe we deserve to be in the final, us as a team and the fans, so we are going to do everything we can to achieve it."

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Rodrigo Bentancur exclusive interview: Spurs out to win Europa League for James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall

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Rodrigo Bentancur exclusive interview: Spurs out to win Europa League for James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall - Sky Sports
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It is 17 years since Tottenham last claimed silverware but Rodrigo Bentancur knows the feeling well. He reached double figures for trophies with Boca Juniors and Juventus. Now he hopes his experience will help Spurs over the line in the Europa League.

He has certainly played his part so far. A cool head in midfield who brings tenacity as well as composure, Bentancur has been key during their run to the last four. They will need his knowhow again in Thursday's semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt.

"We have spoken about age and the number of games played," says the Uruguay international, who, at 27, has already racked up more than 400 senior appearances for club and country.

"More than anything, I try to share my experiences with the younger players. I have moments on the pitch where I get angry, but I am a very calm person and player and I try to enjoy the moment.

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"It's my first European semi-final, so it's my first time too, but I will try to enjoy it to the maximum and I will try to transmit the experiences I have had at other clubs to my younger team-mates.

"Above all, I will tell them to enjoy it. These moments are unique and they pass very quickly, so try to do the best you can. If you are happy and focused, things will turn out well for you."

It has not been easy for Spurs to maintain happiness and focus during a hugely disappointing domestic season. But their Europa League campaign has provided respite. Bentancur insists Ange Postecoglou and his players have shut out the external noise.

"The manager has a very calm personality, like me," he says. "He tries to be very close to us, to get his calmness across to the players and make sure we play the game he wants, which I believe we have done and are doing very well. So, go to their stadium and be aggressive with our pressing, especially high up the pitch.

"It's going to be a new experience, on an artificial pitch, but the manager is calm and we have created a bubble, being united, happy and content and approaching the game in the best possible way."

Spurs are in a strong position to advance to the final after their 3-1 first-leg win in London but Bentancur is eager to stress that even winning the competition would not make them complacent about the need for major improvement domestically.

"It's not been a good season," he says. "That's reflected in our results and in the table. It's not what we wanted. It wasn't the objective at the start of the season." What does he put it down to? "We have had periods with lots of injuries when players have had to play a lot of games consecutively without any alternatives available," he adds.

"Those players did very well, but that's one of the big reasons it has been a difficult season. It doesn't feel good because it makes you think that, individually, you're not giving your best level for the team. But the situations with injuries have influenced a lot of things.

"Our objectives have changed now. With the Europa League to play for, the manager has decided to make a lot of changes for the Premier League games." There were eight of them against West Ham on Sunday, with Bentancur among those rested. "But we know it hasn't been a good season," he continues. "We are very clear on that.

"We know that, if we want to be among the top teams, we have to try to compete in all competitions and be at our best in all of them.

"We also know that we are going to have to change things next season, but we will have time to think about that. Right now, we are very focused on the game on Thursday. You don't play many semi-finals in a football career. We have to give our best to bring happiness to the fans because I believe they deserve it."

Can Spurs do it without Bergvall, Maddison?

Their task has been made harder by season-ending injuries to Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison, whose absences leave Bentancur shouldering even more responsibility. Not that he sees it that way as he talks up the quality of their potential replacements in midfield.

"We have players who can play the same role as Lucas, like Bissou [Yves Bissouma] did when he played alongside me in the first leg," says Bentancur. "He had an exceptional game and he was incredible again at the weekend as well.

"Then Kulu [Dejan Kulusevski] has played many times in the role Maddison plays, and I have done it at times as well.

"So, we have players who can do it. Of course, it's a shame they are missing the game because you don't play a European semi-final every year. But we are going to try and win it for them because they have been doing their best for the team all year.

"We feel sad for them, but the group is doing well, very focused, very committed and really looking forward to Thursday. We are taking it very seriously and with the personality you need against a side like Bodo, who have a great team and have shown that throughout their Europa League campaign.

"They showed it here against us as well. They played well. We are going to give them the respect they deserve but we are going to go there to win the game."

Spurs should really be out of sight already after a dominant first-leg showing but Bodo/Glimt's late goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has given them a lifeline and they also have the advantage of their artificial pitch. Kjetil Knutsen's side have won all but one of their seven Europa League home games this season.

Spurs opted not to train on their own artificial pitches at Hotspur Way in preparation for the game, instead making plans to train on the surface itself after arriving in Norway on Wednesday.

"It's a change, it's different, but these things come up in football," says Bentancur. "It's not like we have never played on artificial pitches before. You lose the habit a bit, but it's normal.

"They have done very well in Europe and in their domestic league. They are very good at home but they have shown it away from home too. So, we won't underestimate them. But we are going to go there to play our game and produce our best performance."

Will they allow themselves to contemplate what might come next, with a place in the final at stake? "When we spoke about objectives at the start of the season, one of them was to win this competition, but I don't want to get ahead of ourselves," says Bentancur.

"Thursday is our biggest game of the season. I believe we deserve to be in the final, us as a team and the fans, so we are going to do everything we can to achieve it."

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James Maddison: Tottenham midfielder to miss remainder of season with knee injury

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Tottenham midfielder James Maddison will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Maddison sustained the injury during last Thursday's Europa League semi-final first-leg win over Bodo/Glimt, having scored Tottenham's second goal in the 3-1 victory.

It is a second season-ending injury in a week for Spurs, who also lost midfielder Lucas Bergvall to an ankle injury picked up in training.

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The duo's injuries are a huge blow to Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou ahead of Thursday's second leg in Norway, and a potential Europa League final later this month.

Speaking on the eve of Tottenham's game with Bodo/Glimt, Postecoglou confirmed Maddison will not play again this term.

"Madders tweaked his knee in the first leg. He's out, he'll miss the rest of the season," Postecoglou said.

"It's disappointing for him more than anything else, because he has been a big catalyst for us.

"He misses out, but that's been a constant of our season dealing with these things. We'll [just need to] overcome that."

Postecoglou had initially revealed after Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Ham that Maddison's injury looked to be more serious than first thought.

The Australian said at his post-match press conference: "It doesn't look great, but we're just waiting for further information, so we'll just wait and see. We'll probably get some clarity tomorrow [on Monday].

"It's fair to say that it's not looking promising, but I'll just wait and see."

Solanke set to be fit for Bodo/Glimt second leg

There was more encouraging news, though, from Postecoglou on striker Dominic Solanke after Sunday's Premier League draw at West Ham.

The England international limped off in last week's first-leg home win over Bodo/Glimt and was left out of the squad for the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

But Postecoglou played down the 27-year-old's injury and expects him to feature in this week's second leg in Norway.

The Australian said at his post-match press conference: "Dom's improving.

"We left him out today, but the medical team are pretty confident that he should be alright for Thursday."

If Spurs do get past the Norwegian champions on Thursday, then a potential all-English final against Manchester United awaits them in Bilbao on May 21.

It would give Postecoglou's side the chance to end their 17-year trophy drought and qualify for next season's Champions League.

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Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham: Will artificial pitch above the Arctic Circle see Spurs slip up in Europa League semi-final?

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A two-goal advantage heading into the away second leg of a Europa League knockout tie, Tottenham were in this situation four years ago - and it did not end well.

Jose Mourinho's Spurs let a first-leg 2-0 lead slip against Dinamo Zagreb after a 3-0 extra-time loss in Croatia. The turnaround was even more extraordinary considering Dinamo were managerless, having lost their head coach to a prison sentence between the first and second legs.

Now Bodo/Glimt are aiming to emulate Dinamo's comeback on Thursday, with Tottenham holding a 3-1 first-leg semi-final lead. History, however, is not on the Norwegians' side.

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A two-goal first-leg semi-final deficit has never been overturned since the competition was rebranded as the Europa League in 2009/10.

You have to go back 37 years - when the competition was known as the UEFA Cup - for the last time it happened as Espanyol beat Club Brugge 3-0 at home to win 3-2 on aggregate and reach the 1988 final.

'Artificial pitch is an advantage for us'

But what will give Bodo/Glimt real belief they can become Europa League history-makers is their unique home fortress.

The 8,270-seater Aspymyra Stadion - located above the Arctic Circle - boasts a tricky artificial pitch, freezing temperatures and a cramped atmosphere. It has become an icy graveyard for visiting teams.

Kjetil Knutsen's side have won 28 of their last 34 home games in all European competitions, and are on a five-game winning European home run with their last victory coming against Lazio.

Just hours before facing the Italian giants, the Bodo/Glimt pitch was buried in snow, but a combination of under-soil heating, snow ploughs and hard-working groundstaff saw the game go ahead.

But Lazio wish it had not, as they lost the quarter-final first leg 2-0 - the synthetic surface proving particularly problematic.

"They had speed in their exchanges because of the artificial pitch," Lazio boss Marco Baroni told Sky in Italy.

So how much does the artificial pitch really give the Norwegian champions the upper hand?

"There's no doubt it is an advantage for us," reveals Bodo/Glimt defender Odin Bjortuft, who missed the first leg in north London through injury.

"But at the same time, it's what you're used to. We train on this pitch every day, the same with the team we meet, they train on grass pitches every day.

"They have an advantage on us, and we have an advantage on them. I think it's evened out.

"But of course, playing here at home is a big advantage for us because I don't think a lot of teams are prepared for what's coming.

"We have managed to do this in a successful way. The ball goes really fast here, and that's a key object for us."

Spurs have been here before... at Tamworth

But an artificial pitch is nothing new for Spurs this season. Ange Postecoglou's side played on one four months ago at Non-League Tamworth, although the result was concerning.

Tottenham needed extra time to avoid FA Cup third-round embarrassment at the Lamb Ground as they eventually won 3-0 on the 3G pitch.

That near-disastrous experience could, however, prove vital ahead of their trip to Norway.

Asked what makes Bodo/Glimt's pitch such a difference-maker, Bjortuft explains: "I think it's a combination [of things].

"The ball goes really fast when you play passes, and it's more difficult for defenders reaching attackers and getting contact with us. That's what we benefit from in these games.

"Of course, it's a big difference between artificial and grass in many ways, but the main key is that the ball goes so fast.

"It may be harder to turn and everything for players that are not used to it."

Friendlier temperature awaits Spurs

Lazio, Olympiakos, Porto, Besiktas and FC Twente have all been frozen out at the Aspymyra Stadion this season.

And four years ago, a much-changed Roma were hammered 6-1 there as Mourinho suffered the heaviest defeat of his managerial career, while Postecoglou has already tasted defeat at Bodo/Glimt with Celtic after a 2-0 loss in February 2022.

But the ice-cold conditions contributing to those upsets will not be as harsh for Tottenham's visit.

Besiktas lost at Bodo/Glimt in December with the temperature at minus one, but Thursday's forecast is around seven degrees, making it more tolerable for Spurs.

Asked by Sky Sports about whether Bodo's friendlier weather will hinder their chances, Bjortuft replies: "I look forward to seeing the sun again! I don't mind it really, and I don't think any of us think about that.

"It's been big talk worldwide for newspapers that the weather is such an advantage for us, but I think we can play the same football whether it's snowing or it's sunny, so there's no difference for us."

But if Bjortuft believes the weather is inconsequential, then the atmosphere and tightness of the venue are of real significance.

"It's a smaller stadium than they [Tottenham] are used to. It's really compact," the 26-year-old says. "And it's a city that stays together.

"We are really comfortable playing here, as many home teams are. I think we have a good backing from the town and they are really positive, even if it goes south.

"It's a good feeling for us to have them on our back."

'Tottenham have everything to lose'

Bodo/Glimt will be buoyed by the fact that 60 per cent of their European wins (excluding qualifiers) have been by two or more goals, including the home victories over Lazio (2-0) and Olympiakos (3-0) this season.

Spurs will be desperate to avoid conceding first on Thursday.

"I'm not quite so sure about Tottenham [making the final]. It's down to the first goal," European football expert Kevin Hatchard told Sky Sports News.

"If they get that first goal, with the crowd and that kind of setting - the plastic pitch in the Arctic Circle - then that becomes an enormous test for Tottenham psychologically.

"Tottenham have everything to lose, but Bodo/Glimt don't have anywhere near as much to lose. The pressure's off them to some extent."

Dinamo Zagreb were in Bodo/Glimt's position four years ago and managed to upset the odds. This has the potential to be déjà vu for Spurs.

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Aston Villa vs Tottenham: Premier League game rescheduled ahead of potential Europa League final for Spurs

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Tottenham's Premier League game at Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports, has been moved from Sunday, May 18, to Friday, May 16, ahead of Spurs' potential involvement in the Europa League final on Wednesday, May 21.

The Premier League has approved Tottenham's request to reschedule the fixture at Villa Park to allow them to have the same preparation time as Manchester United for the Europa League final in Bilbao, should both teams make it.

Man Utd are playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday, May 16, live on Sky Sports, after the fixture was moved to ensure there would be no clash with the Women's FA Cup final between the two teams at Wembley on Sunday, May 18.

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The newly-moved fixture between Aston Villa and Tottenham will kick off at 7.30pm, while the game between Chelsea and Manchester United has a new 8.15pm kick-off time, which is 15 minutes later than originally scheduled.

Villa objected to Spurs' request

Tottenham announced on April 27 that they had been in discussions with the Premier League over a change of date.

But Sky Sports News reported later that evening that Aston Villa had written to the Premier League to object to Spurs' request.

It was understood that Villa felt it was an important period in their season and that it would represent double standards.

Ange Postecoglou's side, however, have now had their request granted, ensuring Man Utd would not have an extra two days' rest in the event of an all-English Europa League final.

Manchester United and Spurs are on course to meet in Bilbao on May 21, with both sides holding aggregate advantages heading into their semi-final second legs.

Tottenham take a two-goal lead to Norway on Thursday after a first-leg 3-1 home win over Bodo/Glimt, while Man Utd have a three-goal lead over Athletic Club ahead of their second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Despite Man Utd and Spurs' lowly Premier League positions of 15th and 16th, respectively, the winner of the Europa League will qualify for next season's Champions League.

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Aston Villa are battling to reach European football's top-tier competition through the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca's side occupy the fifth and final Champions League qualification spot, while seventh-placed Aston Villa are just three points behind the Blues with three games remaining.

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