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Tottenham dealt ANOTHER injury blow as James Maddison is set to miss rest of the season with a knee injury - as problems grow ahead of Bodo/Glimt Europa League semi-final second leg

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Tottenham dealt ANOTHER injury blow as James Maddison is set to miss rest of the season with a knee injury - a - Daily Mail
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James Maddison is not expected to return from injury this season.

The Tottenham midfielder damaged a knee in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt.

Ange Postecoglou said after Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Ham that it was 'not looking promising' for Maddison.

Spurs are still running scans on the full extent of the damage, but the 28-year-old England international is unlikely to play again in the three weeks before the end of the season.

It is another injury blow for Postecoglou in a campaign full of them.

For Maddison, personal heartbreak with Tottenham on the brink of the Europa League final.

They are 3-1 up against Bodo/Glimt with the second leg in Norway on Thursday.

The final is in Bilbao in just over a fortnight.

Midfielder Lucas Bergvall suffered an ankle injury on the eve of the first leg which has ruled him out of the rest of the season.

Captain Son Heung-min has missed the last four games with a foot injury. Son has been training alone and is a doubt for the trip to Norway.

Dominic Solanke, also forced off against Bodo/Glimt, missed the draw at West Ham but is confident of being fit for Thursday.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims bragging rights over Jose Mourinho as Besiktas triumph 1-0 over Fenerbahce... with ex-Spurs flop scoring the winner against his former Tottenham manager

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims bragging rights over Jose Mourinho as Besiktas triumph 1-0 over Fenerbahce... with - Daily Mail
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas beat Fenerbahce 1-0 in the Istanbul derby to further dent Jose Mourinho's chances of winning the Turkish Süper Lig.

Gedson Fernandes, who flopped at Tottenham Hotspur when Mourinho was in charge, missed a penalty but then scored the only goal to hand Solskjaer bragging rights at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

The win sees Solskjaer became the first foreign Besiktas coach to claim an away win at Fenerbahce in 22 years and spells the end of Fenerbahce's title hopes, with Mourinho's side eight points behind leaders Galatasaray.

The former Manchester United managers, who together spent five years at Old Trafford, clashed during their time in England and faced each other for the first time since moving to Turkey.

Solskjaer replaced Mourinho at United in 2018 and the two managers both recorded second place Premier League finishes - the highest the Red Devils have achieved since Sir Alex Ferguson.

The pair locked horns in April 2021 after Solskjaer's United beat Spurs 3-1, a week before Mourinho was sacked.

The 62-year-old Portuguese boss was incensed after Solskjaer claimed Son Heung-min had cheated to disallow a United goal.

Solskjaer, who revealed pre-match he has not spoken to Mourinho since his arrival in Turkey in January, criticised the South Korean for diving at the time.

'If that was my son and he stays down and he needs his mates to help him up, he doesn't get food because that's embarrassing, the game's absolutely gone,' the Norwegian said.

Mourinho took aim at Solskjaer's parenting in response.

'I just want to say that Sonny is very lucky that his father is a better person than Ole,' he said.

'I am a father. I think as a father you have to always feed your kids. It doesn't matter what they do. If you have to steal to feed your kids, you steal.

Solskjaer shrugged off the rivalry before the game, insisting: 'This is not a match between Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

'This is a match between Besiktas and Fenerbahce. The players will decide the score. I have great respect for Mourinho.'

Since replacing Giovanni van Bronckhorst in January, the 52-year-old has lifted Besiktas to fourth place in the league and are competing for Europa League play-off spot.

Fenerbahce will compete in the Champions League next season but there is uncertainty whether Mourinho will still be in charge.

In November he tore into the Turkish Super Lig in an incredible tirade following his team's 3-2 away win at Trabzonspor on Sunday.

Mourinho did not hold back as he boldly stated: 'Nobody abroad wants to watch the Turkish league.

'Who wants to watch this Turkish league abroad? They have the Premier League, they have the French league, they have the German league, they have the Portuguese league, they have the Dutch league. Why should they see this?

'It's too grey. It's too dark, smells bad. But that's my job, and I will give everything to my job, to my club.'

Meanwhile, the former Chelsea manager was last month hit with a three-match ban and slapped with a 292,500 Turkish Lira (£5,955) fine after appearing to grab the nose of Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk in jaw-dropping scenes.

After approaching Buruk from behind, Mourinho seemingly pinched his opposite number's nose. Buruk, 51, then fell to the floor, covering his face with his hands.

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Ange Postecoglou delivers worrying update on Tottenham star ahead of crucial Europa League semi-final second leg

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Ange Postecoglou delivers worrying update on Tottenham star ahead of crucial Europa League semi-final second l - Daily Mail
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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has given an update on a key player

The star is a doubt for the second leg of Tottenham's Europa League semi-final

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Ian Ladyman reveals his pick for best goalkeeper this season - and it's NOT Alisson Becker

Ange Postecoglou has given a worrying update regarding the fitness of a key Tottenham star.

The player is a doubt for the second leg of Tottenham's Europa League semi-final tie away to Bodo/Glimt.

He wasn't included in the matchday squad as Postecoglou's side drew 1-1 away to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Wilson Odobert gave Tottenham the lead in the 15th minute before Jarrod Bowen equalised for West Ham 13 minutes later.

After the game attention turned to Tottenham's European campaign - they have a 3-1 lead from the first leg against Bodo/Glimt.

Tottenham are determined to avoid an upset and make it through to the Europa League final, where they could potentially face Manchester United.

James Maddison had to be substituted in the 65th minute of the first leg due to aknee problem.

Speaking after the game against West Ham, Postecoglou stated that the situation is 'not looking promising'.

As reported by football.London, Postecoglou said: 'It doesn't look great. Just waiting for further information. Probably get more clarity tomorrow but it's fair to say it's not looking promising.'

Maddison has played a key part in Tottenham's Europa League campaign, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

He was amongst the scorers in the first leg win but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to feature in the return fixture.

Dominic Solanke and Son Heung-min will also be assessed ahead of the game on Thursday.

Tottenham are without Radu Dragusin and Lucas Bergvall, who will miss the rest of the season.

It has been a challenging season for Tottenham in the Premier League - they are in 16th place in the Premier League.

However, the Europa League represents a chance for Tottenham to win their first trophy since 2008.

The final will take place in Spain on May 21.

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West Ham 1-1 Tottenham: Spurs settle for a point ahead of Europa League semi-final showdown as Jarrod Bowen cancels out Wilson Odobert's opener

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West Ham 1-1 Tottenham: Spurs settle for a point ahead of Europa League semi-final showdown as Jarrod Bowen ca - Daily Mail
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Tottenham were held to a dire 1-1 draw by West Ham at the London Stadium

Wilson Odobert made an early breakthrough before Jarrod Bowen equalised

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Chris Sutton explains the harsh reality of being a manager: 'I wasted a year of my life!'

Even against a Tottenham second string with their minds on Europe, Graham Potter needed Jarrod Bowen to come to his rescue again.

Hammers captain Bowen slotted home his 10th league goal of the season to level after Wilson Odobert gave Ange Postecoglou's side an early lead at the London Stadium.

James Ward-Prowse almost provided a dramatic finish, though, inches away from scoring a stoppage free-kick that would have drawn him level with David Beckham.

There was also a bizarre situation when West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta appeared to burst into tears after he received a yellow card in the second half for a foul on Spurs substitute Mikey Moore.

Paqueta remains the subject an FA spot-fixing investigation into four previous bookings for the club with the result of his hearing pushed back until the summer.

Postecoglou has long cast any Premier League ambitions to the scrapheap. Six defeats in their last eight before this, conceding five to Liverpool, two to Nottingham Forest and another four to Wolves in their last three with their only victory in that run against relegated Southampton.

All eyes, all hearts, are on Thursday night and their two-goal advantage heading into the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt and the potential of a first European final in six years.

If that means a possibility of a lowest top-flight finish since 1977 when they were relegated then so be it.

Postecoglou made eight changes to the side that beat Bodo/Glimt in the first leg with only goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison keeping their place.

And even then West Ham couldn't beat them as their winless run extended to eight games.

If the mood wasn't already bad enough inside the London Stadium, it took the Tottenham stiffs just 15 minutes to go in front – and from a situation that appeared to hold no danger at all.

A hopeful long ball forward into the channel looked routine for Max Kilman to sweep up but the £40million summer signing made a hash of clearing his lines, booted the ball twice against Mathys Tel and eventually gifting possession to the Spurs winger.

Tel squared the ball into the box past Aaron Cresswell to an unmarked Wilson Odobert who had the time to take a touch, pick his spot and finish past Alphonse Areola to score his first Premier League goal for the club.

Yves Bissouma and Dejan Kulusevski are the only two who started here expected to do so again in Norway on Thursday night but if there was anyone in Postecoglou's jumbled pack who staked a claim it was Tel.

The French forward, on loan from Bayern Munich, looked sharp every time he got the ball. He bamboozled Jean-Clair Todibo to earn a dangerous free-kick in the first half, breezed past him again to force a save in the second, and split the West Ham defence with a fine pass to Richarlison after Paqueta gave the ball away but the Spurs striker had no one waiting when he pulled the ball back in front of goal.

The opening goal summed up the often calamitous defending that's blighted much of West Ham's season and the throes of empty seats around the London Stadium for a derby encapsulated the apathy among a fanbase who cannot wait for the season to end and the summer overhaul to begin.

Potter refused to talk of any positives after the Brighton capitulation when the usually calm and collected coach let his frustrations boil over in his post-match press conference – he was so angry that he almost swore! – but there have been a few if you choose to look hard enough.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, another summer arrival, has exceeded expectations, especially in attack. A defender renowned for being solid in the tackle but with little beyond the halfway line, Wan-Bissaka has thrived as a key threat in Potter's wing-back system.

Whenever West Ham had possession, they looked to find Wan-Bissaka down the right and it was the former Manchester United full back who was key to the hosts levelling on 28 minutes.

Wan-Bissaka slipped in Bowen, making a run beyond the defensive line, and the captain slotted the ball neatly between Guglielmo Vicario's legs from a narrow angle. Something to cheer about at last and, for once, meant the half-time whistle could blow without boos to greet it.

Bowen has long been the man to save the day for West Ham and the club will entertain no offers for their captain in the summer, whose contract runs until 2030. Where would they be without the top scorer.

He had chances to win it in the second half, too, as he lashed an effort wide from a Mohammed Kudus cross at the back post before seeing his header from Ward-Prowse's free-kick clawed away from the line by Vicario.

MATCH FACTS

West Ham (3-4-2-1): Areola, Todibo (Coufal, 80), Kilman, Cresswell (Mavropanos, 88), Wan-Bissaka, Soucek (Soler, 80), Paqueta (Ward-Prowse, 80), Emerson, Bowen, Kudus, Fullkrug (Ferguson, 80)

Subs not used: Fabianski, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez

Goals: Bowen 28

Booked: Kudus, Paqueta

Manager: Graham Potter

Tottenham (4-3-3): Vicario, Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence, Kulusevski, Sarr, Bissouma, Odobert, Richarlison (Moore, 68), Tel

Subs not used: Udogie, Romero, Johnson, Porro, Bentancur, Kinsky, van de Ven, Ajayi

Goals: Odobert 15

Booked: Davies, Tel

Manager: Ange Postecoglou

It's likely to be the Ghanaian winger who funds Potter's summer overhaul with the club ready to accept offers in the region of £85million and he created another good chance when he wriggled his way past three Spurs defenders before dinking the ball into the box where Fullkrug headed over.

West Ham should really have won it – and they so nearly did with Ward-Prowse inches away from ruining Beckham's 50th birthday weekend.

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West Brom 'eye Tottenham coach Ryan Mason as next manager - but Baggies face a big obstacle' amid Spurs' Europa League run

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West Brom 'eye Tottenham coach Ryan Mason as next manager - but Baggies face a big obstacle' amid Spurs' Europ - Daily Mail
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Ryan Mason has been working with the Tottenham's first team since 2021

West Brom are on the market for a new manager after dismissing Tony Mowbray

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Chris Sutton explains the harsh reality of being a manager: 'I wasted a year of my life!'

Tottenham assistant coach Ryan Mason has reportedly emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant managerial position at West Bromwich Albion - but the Baggies

Mason is an integral part of Ange Postecoglou's coaching team as they seek to end Spurs' long trophy drought this season.

The north London club secured a 3-1 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the semi-finals on Thursday, positioning them favorably for a potential final against Manchester United or Athletic Club in Bilbao on May 21.

West Brom sacked Tony Mowbray are just three months in charge after missing out on the play-offs and begun the search of a new manager.

While Mason is on their radar, his current responsibilities with Tottenham complicate immediate negotiations as reported by The Sun.

The 33-year-old is eager to take his first steps into full-time management, but remains committed to doing right by Tottenham and honouring his current role at the club.

Mason has been working with the Tottenham first team since 2021 and has served two stints as the club's interim head coach following the sackings of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

He could now be ready to end his long association with Tottenham as he looks to take his first steps into management.

Mason held talks to become Belgian side Anderlecht's new manager last October but talks fell through.

As the Europa League progresses, West Brom may need to consider alternative options or wait until Tottenham's European commitments conclude to pursue Mason further.

The former midfielder had to cut his playing career short owing to a gruesome head injury suffered in clash of heads with then Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.

Mason required skull surgery following the incident in January 2017 and after having moved to Hull, he retired from professional football 13 months later.

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West Ham fans call for Graham Potter to be SACKED after controversial remark about Tottenham ahead of this weekend's clash with their London rivals

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West Ham fans call for Graham Potter to be SACKED after controversial remark about Tottenham ahead of this wee - Daily Mail
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West Ham supporters have turned on Graham Potter after he made a controversial statement about their London rivals Tottenham ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting between the two clubs.

Potter has been feeling the pressure in recent weeks, with West Ham 17th in the table amid a dire run of results, and he failed to keep his composure in his post-match press conference last week when his side threw away a lead to suffer an agonising loss at Brighton.

He told reporters 'if you want me to swear, I can swear,' as he insisted he was deeply frustrated by West Ham's plight.

The 49-year-old Englishman was in a much better mood at his press conference on Friday, but may have put his foot in his mouth when speaking about Spurs.

Asked for his thoughts on Ange Postecoglou's side after they won the first leg of their Europa League semi-final 3-1 against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night, Potter replied: 'They've had a tough season. I'm pretty sure if you speak to Ange - injuries, young players, the double competition etc.

'And this league, nothing is for given. They've done well in Europe, and hopefully they can finish the job and get into the final.'

Potter's desire to see a rival reach a European final did not go down well with a number of West Ham fans who took to social media to call for the club to take drastic action.

'Sack him immediately,' one supporter posted on X.

Another added: 'Get him out'.

'Potter out based purely upon this,' another fan agreed.

One incredulous fan was in disbelief at Potter's comment, as they asked: 'What an odd thing to say? Why would he want Tottenham to succeed?'

Potter has struggled to win some of the Irons' fanbase over since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January, and one X user admitted the ex-Chelsea boss was doing little to endear himself to supporters with his latest comments.

'He’s in desperate need for a PR manager,' they claimed.

Potter has won just three of his 15 games in charge of West Ham, losing eight.

Last weekend's results confirmed another season in the Premier League for the east London outfit, but it has been a bitterly disappointing campaign after they spent big last summer.

West Ham have not recorded a win since February, but victory on Sunday would lift them above Tottenham in the table.

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Ange Postecoglou confirms huge injury blow for Tottenham with Lucas Bergvall set to miss rest of season

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Ange Postecoglou confirms huge injury blow for Tottenham with Lucas Bergvall set to miss rest of season - Daily Mail
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Ange Postecoglou has confirmed Lucas Bergvall will miss the rest of the season and admitted James Maddison's knee injury is a cause for concern.

Maddison will undergo scans after limping out of Tottenham's 3-1 win in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt of Norway on Thursday.

Bergvall, 19, who signed a new Spurs contract earlier in the week tying him to the club until 2031, damaged ankle ligaments in an innocuous incident training ahead of the same game.

'The injury is probably significant enough to keep him out for the remainder of the season,' said Postecoglou.

'It wasn't a tackle, he was on his own, he just went to turn and just his ankle gave away, so it's just one of those things. I've no doubt he'll come back stronger.'

The Spurs boss was more positive about Dominic Solanke, who also came off against Bodo feeling a tweak in a thigh muscle.

'Dom is not too bad, still sore from last night but we don't think it's anything too serious,' said Postecoglou, who promised changes to the team at West Ham on Sunday, with the second leg of the semi-final coming just four days later.

'We'll make changes,' he said. 'We want to put in a strong performance, also give some players a rest and also get some players up to speed because who knows who we're going to need for next Thursday night.

'There's no doubt when you're making seven, eight or nine changes that I make, that has an effect on the team in the Premier League because you're usually playing against teams that are rested and settled, and it's a massive ask, but I think it's been necessary.

'It's painful, unfortunately, but hopefully we get to reap the rewards of that.'

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Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt - Europa League: Live score, team news and updates as Spurs look to redeem disappointing season plus updates from Djurgarden vs Chelsea in the Conference League

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Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt - Europa League: Live score, team news and updates as Spurs look to redeem... - Daily Mail
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Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates from Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League plus action from Djurgarden vs Chelsea in the Conference League.

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Ange Postecoglou dismisses claim Tottenham will 'kill off' Bodo/Glimt in first-leg of Europa League semi-final - and insists Norwegian minnows will be a 'difficult challenge'

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Ange Postecoglou dismisses claim Tottenham will 'kill off' Bodo/Glimt in first-leg of Europa League semi-final - Daily Mail
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Tottenham face Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday night

Spurs boss Postecoglou insists he will not underestimate the Norwegian side

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Why Jude Bellingham's move to Real Madrid paid off for Liverpool

Ange Postecoglou was quick to dismiss the notion Tottenham might kill off the threat of Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night in London, with the Norwegians depleted, and removing their artificial pitch from the equation.

'You try and do that anyway,' said the Spurs boss. 'Playing at home in Europe for every club has its advantages, and you want to try to take that advantage.

'Bodo away is a difficult challenge. But we played really well against Frankfurt at home and should have won by three or four. We ended up drawing. Frankfurt away wasn't easy. Their record is just as compelling as Bodo's.

'I don't think you just go in thinking you're going to kill off the tie then. Semi-finals for the most part tend to be pretty tight. And I expect that.'

Postecoglou required no introduction to this Norwegian team from the Arctic Circle who have made an artform out of embarrassing prestigious opponents from all corners of Europe.

Bodo/Glimt dumped his Celtic team out in a Conference League play-off round in 2021-22, a season when the Scottish champions managed to complete an ignominious full house by exiting of all three UEFA competitions at the stage they entered.

'You'd love us to think you're a small club we don't rate,' he told a Norwegian reporter at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, where he spoke pointedly of Bodo's 'stability' and 'clear style'.

The Spurs boss knows they are dangerous opponents and not only in next week's second leg when they return to the synthetic grass of home.

Bodo/Glimt have won nine of their 10 home games in this European campaign which started in July, in the Champions League qualifiers, with Red Star, Porto, Besiktas, Twente, OlympiaCos and Lazio among those humbled at various stages in the Aspmyra Stadium.

OlympiaCos, winners of the Conference League last season, were furious with the state of the pitch and made their feelings known to UEFA after losing 3-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie in freezing Arctic conditions in March.

'It is an advantage,' agreed Lazio boss Marco Baroni after losing 2-0 at Bodo in the first leg of their quarter-final. 'There was a lot of speed on the pitch in the close and short exchanges due to the synthetic pitch.'

The Italians have been wary of the Aspmyra plastic ever since Jose Mourinho's Roma were beaten 6-1 by Bodo in the Conference League in October 2021.

It was the result that made European football sit up and take notice of a new force rising from a remote fishing town with its population of 55,000, less than the capacity of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

'That's the beauty of football,' said Postecoglou, savouring similarities in his own journey from the footballing backwater of Australia.

'Irrespective of where you come from, or the size of the place that you come from, if you're ambitious and if you have a clear plan, especially in our sport, you can create unique opportunities and create fantastic moments.'

Formed in 1916, Bodo/Glimt have a long and colourful history of ups and downs but nothing to compare with their success since promotion in 2018, harnessing data-led recruitment to win three Norwegian titles in five years under Kjetil Knutsen, the 56-year-old head coach linked in the past with the Brighton job and currently reported to be on the Leeds radar.

'I know he enjoys being in Bodo, enjoys working at this club,' said the technical director Havard Sakariassen of interest in Knutsen. 'He's probably had some really good offers along the way and should he for some reason decide to do something else I think we should applaud him to the airport and say thank you.

'I'm not afraid of that at all. I think that we will work here for more years to come – but who knows.'

There is more to the Norwegians than the dodgy pitch and yet they arrive at Spurs without some key men.

Three are suspended, captain Patrick Berg, his central midfield partner Hakon Evjen, and forward Andreas Helmersen.

Ole Didrik Blomberg, another forward, and centre-half Odin Bjortuft are doubtful after suffering injuries against KFUM Oslo on Sunday.

All of which seems to intensify the sense of opportunity for Postecoglou's team and the importance of seizing some sort of initiative in this first leg as the failed to do against Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter final, when they drew the first leg at home and produced a fine display to win 1-0 in Germany.

Both he and James Maddison spoke on the eve of the tie about the 'parallel worlds' of an atrocious Premier League campaign and the chance to win a European trophy for the first time in more than 40 years.

With Postecoglou, rotating his team, suffering more defeats. 'Embarrassing,' as Maddison called the 5-1 beating at Liverpool on Sunday. Suffering even more damage to depleted reserves of self-esteem in exchange for a extra freshness in the legs of the players, some of whom are still on the way back from injuries and other who were overplayed in midseason.

All while trying to maintain the belief that this atrocious season can still end in glory in Bilbao. 'How often will you be in this position?' said Postecoglou. 'History tells you not that often, irrespective of how strong you are as a club, even the strongest clubs in terms of Europe.

'Ask any Tottenham supporter what's furthermost in their mind right now, what's going to happen next year or us hopefully trying to get to a final in Europe and the opportunity to win some silverware, I think the answer would be just concentrate on the now and that's what I'm doing.'

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Ange Postecoglou makes bold silverware claim as Tottenham boss hits back at critics trying to 'diminish' and belittle club ahead of Bodo/Glimt clash

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Ange Postecoglou makes bold silverware claim as Tottenham boss hits back at critics trying to 'diminish' and b - Daily Mail
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Ange Postecoglou has claimed Tottenham winning the Europa League would be bigger than Manchester United winning the FA Cup.

The Spurs boss hit out at critics he said wanted to belittle his club's bid to lift a first trophy since 2008 and a first European title since the UEFA Cup in 1984.

'People are always trying to diminish it,' said Postecoglou, ahead of tonight's semi-final first leg at home to Bodo/Glimt of Norway. I've heard people say, "well, it's the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup". No, it ain't. I'm sorry, not on any planet is it the equivalent.

'Others, suggesting maybe we're not worthy of Champions League. I mean, again, they're things designed to diminish what's ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity.'

With Postecoglou under pressure after an awful Premier League campaign, comparisons have been drawn to Erik ten Hag last year, keeping his job as Manchester United boss after winning the FA Cup, only to be fired and replaced by Ruben Amorim five months later.

'Irrespective of how this season's gone we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else,' said Postecoglou. 'To share again with the people that they love, a special moment, supporting their football club.

'So, this season could have gone a lot differently and we could be flying in the league, but it wouldn't make this opportunity any different, the opportunity is the same.

'I've made that clear to the players. We're disappointed obviously with Sunday at Liverpool. We were nowhere near the level needed, but that's something we need to deal with separately.

'What we have before us is a semi-final of a European competition with an opportunity to get to a final, win a trophy, Champions League football. For the players and everyone involved at the football club, it's a brilliant opportunity.'

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