Football London

Ange Postecoglou is facing a number of Tottenham team selection calls for the Europa League semi-final first leg against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.

Spurs have endured a nightmare 2024/25 season but it could, ultimately, be looked back on as being successful if their 16-year trophy drought is ended. Having beaten AZ Alkmaar and Eintracht Frankfurt, Postecoglou's squad find themselves in the last-four of a European competition.

Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, defeated Olympiacos and Lazio while Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United will contest the other semi-final. Owing to freezing temperatures in Norway, the Scandinavian side are at the very start of their domestic season.

Given what awaits away from home, the Lilywhites will be aiming to secure a huge lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before heading over to the arctic circle - to play on an artificial turf that Bodo/Glimt have not lost on since last November.

However, Kjetil Knutsen could be without some key players due to injury with Ole Blomberg, Daniel Bassi and Odin Bjortuft all suffering issues lately, but there is optimism some returns can occur. "We're testing them today [Wednesday], either they are ready to play or be ready to be part of the squad," he revealed at a press conference.

"If they aren't ready then someone else will play, that is football, you will have to [wait and] see." As for Patrick Berg, Hakon Evjen and Andreas Helmersen, they are all suspended for the first leg.

Postecoglou has no players that are banned due to an accumulation of yellow cards, but club captain Son Heung-min will remain absent through injury.

Mathys Tel has impressed off the left in his absence - and will likely continue there - but Postecoglou is still facing some big decisions at full-back and on the opposite wing. Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro are vying for two spots while Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert are battling for one.

While the final decision won't be confirmed until around 7pm this evening, some of those selections have been hinted at by the club on social media.

In their pre-match graphic, posted to both X and Instagram, Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are all pictured. The latter's inclusion suggests he will be at left-back, while Pedro Porro - rested against Liverpool - will be deployed at right-back.

Maddison and Kulusevski being included also hints the Swede will be on the right while Maddison pulls the strings in midfield likely in front of Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur.

It is hardly confirmation of those big calls but that structure and personnel does seem to be the strongest set-up Postecoglou can put out with the likes of Spence, Odobert and Johnson on the subs bench.

Tottenham go into tonight's huge UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg clash with Bodo/Glimt grateful that a number of players are not walking a suspension tightrope.

It is a massive game in Tottenham's campaign and history as they face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night.

With the Lilywhites in 16th place in the Premier League, the Europa League is the only thing that can save the season now and potentially Ange Postecoglou's job with the north Londoners.

The Australian has been under increasing pressure in N17 given Spurs' horrific domestic form and there are reports he could be sacked even if he does win the Europa League later this month.

Apart from captain Son Heung-min, Postecoglou should have a pretty strong squad from which to choose in the first leg, and that has been helped by a lack of suspensions going into the semi-final double header.

Under UEFA rules, Article 52.04 states: "All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals."

That means that all yellow cards were wiped out at the conclusion of the Eintracht Frankfurt quarter-final. Spurs had headed into the second leg with the German side with three players on a tightrope, having already picked up two bookings.

Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall had been shown two yellows in the competition, but avoided being shown a third during the second leg clash with Frankfurt, therefore avoiding a suspension for this semi-final first leg clash.

The UEFA rule also helped out Rodrigo Bentancur.

While in the Premier League suspensions happen at the five, ten and 15 mark for yellow cards, in European competitions they happen at the three, five and seven mark. Receiving three yellow cards typically results in a one-match suspension.

Bentancur has already served a ban in the Europa League this season after picking up three cautions and he picked up a fourth during the quarter-final second leg against Frankfurt.

Those four have now been wiped out, however and he is not in any danger of a ban for a fifth yellow card. The only way players can be banned now is for being sent off in one of the encounters.

Bodo/Glimt could end up being without five key players for the impending Europa League semi-final clash against Tottenham. The first leg will take place this evening at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the second leg scheduled for the following week in Norway.

In the lead up to that European clash, Bodo/Glimt have been dealt a far worse hand than Spurs regarding injuries and suspensions. Radu Dragusin has already been ruled out for the rest of the season but there was a tense wait on Son Heung-min.

The Tottenham captain has missed the last few games with a foot issue and will remain absent - as confirmed by Ange Postecoglou - despite returning to outdoor training last week.

"No, he won't feature tomorrow night," the Spurs manager admitted in a press conference. "He's training, but he's still separate from the group. He is improving and hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later."

In terms of positive news, meanwhile, Postecoglou has welcomed Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Kevin Danso back into the fold, while also keeping Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven fit. It has been a vastly different story for the Norwegian champions, however, with a triple blow already confirmed.

During their quarter-final second leg against Lazio in Italy, captain Patrick Berg and fellow central midfielder Hakon Evjen both picked up yellow cards which will see them suspended for the fixture in north London.

Andreas Helmersen, who scored the crucial goal in extra-time to send the clash to penalties, was also sent off which means he will be forced to serve a one-match ban. Four days on from that huge victory, another major concern arrived.

Just 14 minutes into their Eliteserien clash against Molde, Ole Blomberg was forced with a foot injury and he was later seen leaving Aker Stadium with a protective boot on. He unsurprisingly missed the next two games and fresh concerns arrived in both of those.

Though a rotated starting XI was deployed for the 5-1 cup victory over Junkeren, some key players were involved with right-back Daniel Bassi forced off at half-time. This past Sunday, he was absent from the squad that beat KFUM Oslo at the same time Spurs were put to the sword by Liverpool.

Fifty-three minutes into that 3-0 win, another integral part of Bodo/Glimt's spine became a major doubt as central defender Odin Bjortuft was taken off with an injury. However, the prognosis on those issues is not as bad as first feared with Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen issuing a rather cryptic update

"We're testing them today [Wednesday], either they are ready to play or be ready to be part of the squad," he revealed. "If they aren't ready then someone else will play, that is football, you will have to [wait and] see."

The suspension blows are very clear, however, with Berg, Evjen and Helmersen, all set to miss out and therefore it was no surprise that all three started at the weekend but star striker Kasper Hogh was on the bench.

The Bodo/Glimt talisman has struggled with injury in the past and was therefore rested but he came off the bench and even scored a seven-minute brace.

Tottenham Hotspur take on their biggest game of the season so far when they host Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Spurs will need to put on a big display in front of what is set to be a noisy crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the suspension and injury-hit Norwegian side come to town. Tottenham in contrast have only captain Son Heung-min out along with long-term absentee Radu Dragusin.

"No, [Son] won't feature tomorrow night. He is out training but is still separate from the group. He is improving and hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later," head coach Ange Postecoglou said on Wednesday afternoon.

That still gives Postecoglou a near full complement of players to choose his side from with a bench set to be packed with plenty of stars who can change the game as well. Spurs need to restore the good feeling around the club after a poor result at Liverpool continued their rotten form in the Premier League during this campaign.

Here's the Tottenham team that we reckon Postecoglou will select to face Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night in a big semi-final clash in north London:

Yves Bissouma has had a watching brief from the substitutes' bench in four of Tottenham's last five games. In the match he played, the Mali international was hooked on 55 minutes during the 4-2 defeat at Wolves.

That has unfortunately been the story of Bissouma's season. He has gone from an undroppable in Ange Postecoglou's team to a bit-part role.

That may well result in an exit from north London as this summer will see him enter the final year of his contract. Apart from the first few months of Postecoglou's Tottenham tenure, Spurs have never seen the very best of the player who wowed at the heart of Brighton & Hove Albion's midfield.

It is a move that just hasn't work out and it will likely take a transfer away to get back to his previous levels. The head coach's team selection in Tottenham's past two Premier League outings has said an awful lot about the 28-year-old's current status in north London.

Heavily rotating his team with Thursday's Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt in mind, Bissouma was the only outfield player involved in the past two matchday squads not to get a single minute of action to his name against either Nottingham Forest or Liverpool. Antonin Kinsky was the other player not to feature as a result of Postecoglou sticking with Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks.

It paints a very bleak picture for Bissouma at Tottenham currently. After missing out on minutes against Forest, Bissouma was again named on the bench at Liverpool as Archie Gray started in the holding role.

It was only Gray's second Premier League start in midfield for Spurs and it proved to be a torrid afternoon for him as he really struggled coming up against arguably the league's best midfield trio. The 19-year-old was replaced at the break as Pape Matar Sarr entered the fray and Dejan Kulusevski replaced James Maddison.

Despite Liverpool's superiority in the game and their ability to create chances at will as they looked to add to the three goals they had already scored, Postecoglou had the option of bringing Bissouma on to shore things up but he elected against that change. It has been some fall for Bissouma during the Australian's Tottenham reign as he has gone from playing near enough 90 minutes week in, week out to a severely restricted role.

In the 2023/24 campaign, the former Lille ace started 26 of his 28 appearances for Tottenham. It is a different story altogether this season as he has started 23 times from 37 games. What is even more damning is that he has only completed the full 90 minutes in three of his 24 Premier League outings.

There have been a handful of occasions where he has started and duly made way at the break having not done enough in his game time. A lack of match sharpness and poor form may have contributed to that scenario constantly playing out but he is simply not performing in his minutes to remedy the situation and put an end to it for good.

Tottenham have six games remaining in the 2024/25 campaign as things stand at present, with an extra game set to be added to the calendar providing they beat Bodo/Glimt to reach the Europa League final. Quite how much football Bissouma plays in that time remains to be seen.

Sunday's game at West Ham will present Postecoglou with the opportunity to rotate his team after the Bodo/Glimt first leg fixture and the same goes for the following weekend when they host Crystal Palace in N17. Going on his past two team selections, there is certainly no guarantee that Bissouma is handed any minutes if the Forest and Liverpool picks are anything to go by.

As has been the case over the past month, the midfielder may have to contend with a watching brief from the bench once again.

James Maddison has stressed the importance of creating a positive environment for Tottenham's youngsters in wake of Sunday's 5-1 humbling at Liverpool. Spurs did take the lead early on at Anfield through Dominic Solanke but they were well beaten on the day as the Reds secured the Premier League title in style.

Tottenham's defeat was their 19th of the Premier League campaign and it leaves them one point above West Ham in 17th with four games remaining. Now preparing for their biggest game of the season as they host Bodo/Glimt in a Europa League semi-final on Thursday night, Maddison is well aware of the role he has in the squad given he is vice-captain.

Due to Ange Postecoglou having a very young squad at his disposal, Maddison has opened up on the need to inject some positivity and not dwell on what was a very "embarrassing" result at Liverpool

"It's a balancing act and it's part of my role as a senior player. You want to feel the hurt and the embarrassment of how Sunday went. Because losing any game 5-1 is a little bit embarrassing and Liverpool obviously won the Premier League on the day, so it was a very negative day for us as a club," said the attacking midfielder in his pre-match press conference.

"But my job as a senior player is to not accept the fact that we were poor and we can't go forward like that, because the league is important - it gives you the momentum to take into Europe. But also just trying to put it to one side and I said that post-match. Especially because we have a lot of young players you need positivity.

"You need them to be feeling good and ready to go into Thursday. If we're dwelling on Sunday for too long, it's a quick turnaround, it's only a few days' preparation. So yeah, trying to get them feeling positive again and get a nice feel about the group.

"So like I said it's a balancing act. You want to feel the hurt of Sunday but it's a quick turnaround so it's my job as a senior player to get the positivity back into us as a group so we're ready for Thursday and can go in confident."

When he was asked how he feels after a bad result like the one at Liverpool, he added: "I don’t feel personally responsible because it is collective. It is everyone. No-one in the whole club - from top to bottom - can be satisfied internally, to be satisfied with where we are.

"It definitely hurts. The hurt, it is a tough one. Like I said, I had to do an interview at Liverpool on Sunday and we have lost 5-1. It is a little bit embarrassing, I am a bit embarrassed myself and you have to go and talk.

"And I know no-one actually wants to hear what I have got to say because they want to see the reaction. And get the reaction. And that is the chance we have on Thursday night which is the beauty of the quick turnaround because we can go and put it right on Thursday if we get a good result.

"And then in seven days time we have got another massive game and if we get through that, we are in a European final so there are positives there. But we have got to go and do it and we have got to show them we are just as hungry as they are to win something."

James Maddison spoke to reporters on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt and we've got every single word he said.

Tottenham are looking to create something historic out of a season that has brought disappointment in the Premier League but some big performances in Europe. Now Ange Postecoglou's side with Maddison in the midfield has a chance to book their spot in the Europa League final in Bilbao next month if they can overcome their Norwegian opponents in the two legs ahead in the coming eight days.

Maddison held a press conference in front of the assembled media at Hotspur to discuss the big match this week, his form this season and that painful hit he took in the quarter-final second leg win in Frankfurt to earn the penalty that Dominic Solanke scored to send Spurs through. He also spoke about Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel among plenty of other topics.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Maddison and here's the full transcript from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

How big a game is this for you and the team?

It's huge. When you get to the end of your career and look back, there's probably not many times any player's been in a European semi-final. Maybe once, twice, a few times if you're lucky, if you're at the real big clubs. We have to use that that we're in the final four of a massive competition in Europe and use that as motivation to have a great tie on Thursday and away in Bodo the following Thursday. Because we've got a really special opportunity. There's obviously been a lot of talk about the form and it being quite a poor season but we still have the opportunity to do something very special. But we're in the last four of a European competition but you've earned that, you don't just get placed there. We deserve to be here so it's a challenge we're going to relish. It starts on Thursday night.

How easy is it to park the Premier League form for a game like this?

It's a balancing act and it's part of my role as a senior player. You want to feel the hurt and the embarrassment of how Sunday went. Because losing any game 5-1 is a little bit embarrassing and Liverpool obviously won the PL on the day, so it was a very negative day for us as a club. But my job as a senior player is to not accept the fact that we were poor and we can't go forward like that, because the league is important - it gives you the momentum to take into Europe. But also just trying to put it to one side and I said that post-match. Especially because we have a lot of young players you need positivity.

You need them to be feeling good and ready to go into Thursday. If we're dwelling on Sunday for too long, it's a quick turnaround, it's only a few days' preparation. So yeah, trying to get them feeling positive again and get a nice feel about the group. So like I said it's a balancing act. You want to feel the hurt of Sunday but it's a quick turnaround so it's my job as a senior player to get the positivity back into us as a group so we're ready for Thursday and can go in confident.

What have you made of Mathys Tel's development and Spurs have an option to buy him, would you pay £45m to sign him?

I haven't got £45m! He's been very good since he's come in, I think. When he first came in, we had a few injuries, so he was playing as a No9 and he's played off the left as well. Direct player. He's got good feet and he's very tricky. He can definitely be someone who scores goals. Sometimes you see wide players who are goal-scorers and wide players who are one-v-one specialists. The top players have both. I think he's definitely a goal-scorer, he can be a threat. And I think he's done well. He hasn't played an awful amount but recently he's been in the team more. For myself playing from that left side of midfield in central, we've grown a little bit more of a relationship and understanding of what kind of player he is. I know Sonny, I know what Sonny's going to do there, what I expect from him. I think that's grown with Matty off the left. I think there's a real good player there.

Is this Europa League run an opportunity you can't personally afford to waste?

Yeah, definitely I feel like that. I'm very motivated to help the team have success. We got to the semi-final of the Europa Conference League with Leicester and lost to Roma over two legs. Roma went on to win the competition under Jose Mourinho. And I remember the two legs very clearly. At the time, it was a few years ago, I probably didn't realise the magnitude of what we were trying to achieve until now. That's what gaining experience is, I guess, right? It's important for myself and the team that we're ready and we don't let any small details get in the way. It's a very important fixture for us.

Bodo are a small club - does that put more pressure on you guys?

I don’t think so. If you watch football, you’ve seen Bodo play over the last number of years. They’re always in Europe, aren’t they? They’re a team that pops up regularly in Europe. They played at United this year, they played at Arsenal, they’ve played at some of the big Italian clubs and they’ve had good results.

If you’re a fan of football and you watch European football, you’ll have seen them play, definitely. We’ve obviously done some preparation on them. You talk about their population (of 50,000) but that almost adds to their unity as a club and that kind of family feel.

We know it’s going to be tough. We’re not taking this game lightly at all, I can promise you that. We know it’s going to be a tough game, two legs, especially away from home but tomorrow is the home leg and we have to make them feel that.

But still this is their first year in the semi-final, every game is a bonus, and for you this is the last chance to do something big this year, how does it affect the dynamics?

I could probably just copy and paste the last answer, to be fair. I’ll reiterate: they’re in the last four. You can say anything is a bonus but they’ll be ready. They’re not going to turn up and be wowed by the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium because they’ve been to Old Trafford, they’ve played at Arsenal, they’ve had great results in Europe.

We’re not going to be lulled into the fact that they’re coming to a big stadium and be wowed by that. We know they’re going to be ready. We’ve seen it, we’ve watched the European clips, they’re a good team. We’re ready for them.

Can you talk to us about Ange Postecoglou, there's been a narrative about him during this difficult season and whether he stays, can you summarise the feeling within the camp?

We’re behind the manager 100 per cent. I think he’s a great man. He’s the first person to tell you and I’ll tell you myself we’ve had a poor season in the league. We’ve been very good in Europe but the league season has probably been unacceptable and we can all take a collective responsibility for that, but he’s my manager, he’s my gaffer, and I respect him an awful amount.

The narrative is something we players try and keep away from because it’s not healthy to read into what you lot are talking about the manager’s position. I just know I come into work every day and see the lads listening, taking on the messages, how he wants to play, and the coaches and trying to do what’s best for this club.

And, like I said, we’re in a very good position in Europe where we can still have a special season under his management, so I’ll continue to do that until the day he isn’t here. He is my manager and I respect him an awful amount and that will continue.

The supporters are embarrassed, hurt and angry. Do you owe them one in this competition, given what they’ve been going through?

They or we? We’ve been going through it.

Yeah but you’ve been putting them through it with the results in the league…

On purpose?

No but don’t you feel you owe them one?

We definitely want to them reward them for the support that they give us by creating something special because the League hasn’t been good enough, definitely. But it hurts us as well, let’s not create the narrative that…yes, it’s us players out there and we take responsibility for that. But it hurts me a lot that we’re having a poor season.

But this is why we’re so motivated for this competition because the season can still be so special. People talk all the time about Tottenham being without silverware for however many years, but we’re in the last four and we’ve got a great opportunity in a competition we’ve been pretty solid in this year.

Ok, maybe I worded it a bit wrong, but we want to reward them because we feel the support. At the end games and you’ve lost again, you over and you want to thank them for the support and I know they don’t want to hear it from us. Even this press conference and the interview on Sunday, they’re not really that bothered because words are just words. But it hurts and we’re trying to put it right. That’s the main thing, that hunger is there. It doesn’t always work how you want it to, but this is a unique situation that we’re in in the last four in Europe when we can go and reward them for their support because they do travel everywhere.

We are very grateful for that, even in the league position we’re in and we’ve got nothing to play for, they’re still selling out Liverpool away and we do appreciate that. They are supporting us. It hurts us as well. We’re not satisfied as well. We’re in this together.

How do you personally feel after some of the bad results like Liverpool?

I don’t feel personally responsible because it is collective. It is everyone. No-one in the whole club - from top to bottom - can be satisfied internally, to be satisfied with where we are. It definitely hurts. The hurt, it is a tough one. Like I said, I had to do an interview at Liverpool on Sunday and we have lost 5-1. It is a little bit embarrassing, I am a bit embarrassed myself and you have to go and talk.

And I know no-one actually wants to hear what I have got to say because they want to see the reaction. And get the reaction. And that is the chance we have on Thursday night which is the beauty of the quick turnaround because we can go and put it right on Thursday if we get a good result.

And then in seven days time we have got another massive game and if we get through that, we are in a European final so there are positives there. But we have got to go and do it and we have got to show them we are just as hungry as they are to win something.

You've played alongside Lucas Bergvall this season, in what ways has he developed and what's he been like behind the scenes in his first year in English football?

He was very keen to start - he was very enthusiastic like a little bee! He was just everywhere - on the pre-season tour you would turn the corner and he was just there, happy. I guess that’s the youthfulness of him. He’s a brilliant player and a fantastic talent, Tottenham have done amazingly well to get him to the club and to get him to sign a new contract which is brilliant for everyone at the club.

He's got some learning to do within the game, I guess, but he’s so young that that is fine. What he will have learned as well without even realising it … his journey this season which has just gone like that [points up] - it’s not been a gradual trajectory. He will have learned so much that next season he will be in a much better place in terms of what he has learned from the Premier League.

When he first came in, he was a big powerful boy but I don't think his body was up to the intensity of the league that we all know very well. Once he got to grips with that from playing so much because of the injuries that he has probably caught up quicker than you would have expected.

But the talent is there and he’s got a good head on his shoulders. He always means well and is always willing to learn. I always help him as much as I can because anyone who is willing to learn you want the best for. He’s not someone who has come in, got straight into the team and tried to have himself a little bit.

He’s kept grounded and he’s actually growing - I hear him demanding of other players and I love that. I love that he is in a place where he is confident enough to say to an older player, ‘come on’. I think that has obviously come from this season and the experience he has learned. So great future.

Ange Postecoglou held his press conferences on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt and we've got every single word he said.

Tottenham welcome the Norwegian side on Thursday night looking to turn a disappointing season into something to remember. They will have to take on the huge game without captain Son Heung-min with the South Korean ruled out of the encounter by the Spurs head coach.

Postecoglou spoke about the skipper's foot injury and when he could be back as well as Lucas Bergvall's new contract, which was signed this week until 2031. The Australian also discuss the club's efforts to get their Premier League game against Aston Villa moved next month in case Tottenham do reach the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Postecoglou and here is a full transcript with every single word the Australian said at the press conference at Hotspur Way.

What is the latest team news, is Son available?

No, he won't feature tomorrow night. He is out training but is still separate from the group. He is improving and hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later.

You have experience of Bodo before with Celtic, what do you expect from them?

Yeah, they have been pretty consistent the last few years, obviously same manager and core group of players, but definitely a distinct style of football that they have stuck to and they've had success with. They've been pretty consistent in the Norwegian league but also in Europe and every game they've played, irrespective of the opposition, they've played some really good quality opposition in Europe and always been really competitive. I think that is very borne from the fact they are very stable, have a clear understanding of how they play their football. It will be a good challenge for us.

A new contract for Lucas Bergvall, how much has he improved this season and how important is it for the club to build around players like him?

Yeah hugely so and I'm delighted for Lucas. It's reward for his development this year, his performances and how well he has adapted. We've got to remember a lot of young guys who come to the Premier League maybe have a step in between whether that is playing in another league, but he has come straight from the Swedish league, a year of senior football and it's a credit to him. He's worked really hard at his game. At the beginning he was struggling to cope with the intensity and tempo, as you'd expect and we expected.

A lot of our football and life in general is opportunity. He had an opportunity this year because of the situation we were in and he grabbed it with both hands. And even now, we've virtually got a full squad to pick from and he's still being selected because he took the opportunity. I think there is a core group of young players here that hopefully we can build something from.

Jumping ahead, if Spurs can advance through these two legs, the club have tried to move Aston Villa fixture in case of a Europa League final. We've seen foreign leagues do this, is this something the Premier League should do to help out?

I haven't looked too deeply into it and I don't know what precedence there is, but like you said I know other leagues obviously do it which you can kind of understand for a European final. I'll leave that to the powers that be. I'll concentrate on trying to get us there first of all....Well done on the marathon mate, congratulations. Well done.

The club have worked with fan group THFC Flags to put on a tifo display and flags will be available to fans throughout the group, how important is that unity tomorrow night?

Yeah, really important and again guys that have travelled with us throughout Europe, whether this year or other years, you see the impact that has when you play in opposition stadiums when the supporter base really feels engaged with the club, with the team and with the occasion. It will be hugely important for us tomorrow night. Our fans in Frankfurt were outstanding and to be fair in Europe this year, all the European games, even the Frankfurt home game I thought it was a fantastic atmosphere and we are going to need it tomorrow night. Again, it's a semi-final of a European competition, I am sure our supporters are excited, everyone at the club is excited and we want to make sure we get the best chance to perform at the best level so we can get through.

Are you superstitious?

Na, I used to be but not any more. I find it was kind of yeah, it worked against everything else I believe in my life because I never used to change one of those socks and then I thought, 'jeez, if it's just the socks, what am I doing?' What's the point of me being a coach if it is just socks that make the difference, so no I am not, mate. Sorry.

I asked because the last time Tottenham won a European trophy, Liverpool were champions, but the manager also left at the end of that season...

Jeez, it's a hell of a way to frame that question! (Laughs) Look I said before, and I get we're trying to run two parallel things here of a really disappointing season in terms of the league. But I just don't think that we can do anything other than really concentrate on an unbelievable opportunity we've got before us.

I just think irrespective of what kind of season you have, how often will you be in this position? History tells you not that often, irrespective of how strong you are as a club, even the strongest clubs in terms of Europe. So any thought of what's going to happen next year or what's going to happen this year I just don't think is really of any importance.

As I said last week, I think you 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.

That game against Bogo with Celtic was a few years ago, is there anything you can learn from those games?

Yeah, absolutely, like I said, same manager, similar style of play. When we played with Celtic, our season had got off to a slow start, but by that time we played some decent football, but I remember, because again we had the first game at home a bit like us and their ability to, to play at a really good intensity, they weren't fazed.

You know, the atmosphere at Celtic Park is unbelievable, they weren't fazed by that, they'd beaten Roma a couple of weeks before that and it really strikes you that I don't think they're going to be daunted by anything tomorrow that they face because they've been at Old Trafford, they've played at the Emirates, I think a couple of years ago, Like I said they've played some big clubs in Italy, they've played some big clubs in other countries and you see that they have this ability to not be fazed by that, and we've got to expect that tomorrow night.

I don't expect them to be overawed by the occasion, you know, sort of thinking 'wow'. They've got a real capacity to be really strong in their mind about what they need to do and and the away game is tricky because you're playing on an artificial surface in difficult conditions.

So I think there are still some real parallels there and having experienced it, I know that they're going to be a really tough opponent.

Throughout this season when it's been difficult in the league, you've constantly said to the players that they can still have a fantastic finish, and you're now two ties away from the final, what's your message to the players this week? You spoke about the Stonecutter's creed last week, any more Angeism's this week?

No, no, and that wasn't an Angeism. I'm still shocked that the whole room I was talking to had never heard of it before, but look, I think that still rings true. I'm really strong at the moment of these parallel worlds we're trying to traverse, and I've sensed, which is not surprising because I've said that before, that this is the way this club is perceived that people are always trying to diminish it in some respects, you know.

I've heard people say, well, it's the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup. No, it ain't. I'm sorry, it's not on any planet is it the equivalent. Others suggesting that maybe we're not worthy of Champions League. I mean, again, they're things that are designed there to diminish what's ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity.

Like you said, irrespective of how this season's gone we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else, 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 we needed to be, but again, 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. I just think for the players and everyone involved at the football club, it's a brilliant opportunity.

How do you assess the players' ability to perform physically tomorrow after the recent rotation and game management?

I think we're in a good place from that point of view. I think looking at the outputs of the players, I think we've got work into players who needed it. Others, we've had to manage. Because with a season like ours, where guys like Romero and Van de Ven and Destiny, guys who've missed a lot of the season, it's not just about getting them back, you've got to manage how you bring them back, how and when they play. Certainly all the guys we rested on the weekend - like Bentancur - all could have played - or like Pedro - on the weekend for sure. But it made sense for us to give them really good preparation. And the guys who played - Dom played 60, Madders played 45 - they're in a good place physically absolutely. We're going to need a big physical performance. Because again, Bodo work really hard as a team. But similarly to the Frankfurt games, I think the guys from a physical stand-point are in a good place to have a strong performance.

Is there an incentive to rack up a big score first leg without the away goals now?

I think you try and do that anyway. I think playing at home in Europe for every club has its advantages, and you want to try to take that advantage. As you said, Bodo away is a difficult challenge. But having said that, we played really well against Frankfurt at home, should have won by three or four. We ended up drawing. But the important thing was that we played really well and were dominant. That gave us confidence. Frankfurt away wasn't easy, their record is just as compelling as Bodo's. I think tomorrow night what's really important is that we put in another dominant performance. Hopefully if we create as many chances, it's time they go in rather than hitting crossbars and so forth. But I don't think you just go into tomorrow night thinking you're going to kill off the tie then. I just don't think... I think semi-finals for the most part tend to be pretty tight. And I expect that tomorrow night.

Bodo are a small club, you're a bigger club, how does that affect you mentally....

You'd love us to think that! That you're a small club and we don't rate....no, no, that's not how I.... I just said I think Bodo's there on merit. They beat Lazio, they beat Olympiakos, tough teams. They're there because they're a good football team. Doesn't matter where you come from. I come from the other side of the world, where football is the fourth sport. I don't underestimate anyone. You said we're a big club, they're a small club, it doesn't matter. We're two clubs in the semi-final of a European competition. And they've earned the right to be there. They've done very well to get there. And we're going to treat them with the respect they deserve. And at the same time, make sure that we go in there and give our best performance.

What's the main reason for Bodo/Glimt to reach this stage?

"They've been a real stable club, same manager, they've got a real clear identity in the way they play. As I said, I think they've created a real kind of resilience in the group, mental resilience that irrespective of who they play with, whether that's in the Norwegian league, or in Champions League qualifiers, or Europa or Conference, they treat every opponent the same and they play it the same level. That's why they've been a dangerous opponent for any team.

They're from a small town so are the underdogs?

That's what I love about the game, that's the beauty of football. 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. I think that's what we love about the game, that's what we love about football. There's always been stories of clubs from smaller areas or small countries doing well in major competitions. That's always existed.

What do make of the Bodo manager?

Good guy. I obviously met him a few years back and has done really well. He has a clear identity of the way he wants his team to play, he has created a real strong culture at the club not just from a football perspective but from a mental perspective as well.

Will there be a replay of the Jose Mourinho clash?

I'm a bit different to Jose. That's the kind of results they have had in the past - it means you have to respect them. This is not just a one-off, that was four years ago and every year they have done that to more than one club that is supposedly bigger.

They have gone further this year and have earned it. Even to get to the knockout stage - Olympiakos are a tough team and won the Conference League last year. Lazio are a good side so they are not there by accident.

What do you make of their playing style?

I love their approach, I love that they are not intimidated by oppositions, I love the fact that they take the game to whoever they play. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Are you surprised they got this far?

I'm not. If it was the first year they had got results like that then you would say 'yeah, I'm a bit surprised' but they have been building towards that. Every year they have made an impact in Europe.

It has only been in recent years that they have been in Europe and the more you are in the more you get a chance to grow. They have grown every year. Irrespective of how it goes this year I would expect them to have another impact next year, maybe through the Champions League qualifiers and get to the Champions League. That wouldn't surprise me either.

They've got injuries and suspensions with Patrick Berg missing, how much will that affect them?

Missing Patrick Berg is a loss but has always been what they do as a team rather than individuals because over the last five years they have sold a lot of players and the team has always been consistent.

Ange Postecoglou has stated that he will leave the decision over Tottenham's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa to the powers that be. Spurs are due to play at Villa Park on the penultimate weekend of the campaign, with the game currently in the diary for Sunday, May 18.

The current date could prove very problematic if Tottenham are to reach the Europa League final, which takes place in Bilbao three days later. That in turn would leave Postecoglou's team with extremely little preparation time for a match of such significance, especially as they would likely travel to Spain on the Tuesday, providing of course that they do beat Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals.

Tottenham released a statement on Sunday morning revealing that they are in "discussions with the Premier League regarding a change in date to our away Premier League match against Aston Villa, currently scheduled for Sunday, 18 May". Spurs are understood to have suggested a number of alternative dates in order to allow for a larger block of days to mentally and physically prepare for a potential showpiece final.

Aston Villa are said to have opposed a move and now both clubs are waiting for the final verdict from the Premier League. As Thursday marks the start of May, all involved will want an answer sooner rather later as travel arrangements and other things also have to be taken into account.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Bodo/Glimt game, football.london asked Postecoglou if the Premier League really has to help out on this occasion given a number of foreign leagues do likewise when it comes to their teams playing in big European fixtures.

"I haven't looked too deeply into it, I don't know what sort of precedence there is to it," said Postecoglou. "I know other leagues do it, which you kind of understand for a European final. I'll leave that to the powers that be and I'll concentrate on trying to get us there first of all."

Amid question marks over when exactly the Aston Villa game could be played, Spurs first of all have to try and get the better of Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League. The Tottenham boss knows full well his side are going to be in for a very tough game.

"Bodo are there on merit. They beat Lazio, Olympiacos. They're tough teams," explained the 59-year-old. "I'm from the other side of the world. It doesn't matter where you're from. We're going to treat them with the respect they deserve and give our best."

He added: "Missing Patrick Berg is a loss for them but I think it's always been more about what they do as a team rather than individuals. They've sold a lot of players over the past five years but they've kept doing well."

Ange Postecoglou has revealed that Son Heung-min will play no part in Tottenham's Europa League semi-final first leg encounter against Bodo/Glimt. The Spurs captain has been suffering with a foot injury of late and last played for the team in the home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in early April.

As a result, Son has missed out on the Premier League games against Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, as well as the brilliant 1-0 win in Frankfurt that booked Spurs a place in the final four of the Europa League. Heading into the semi-final showdown there have been big questions over Son's potential participation in the game.

Speaking on Sunday after the 5-1 hammering at Liverpool, Postecoglou stated that the South Korean international would be "touch and go" for Thursday night. On Wednesday morning, Son was not present for Tottenham training with the rest of the Spurs squad at their Hotspur Way base.

football.london were in attendance for the first 15 minutes of the session and the experienced forward appeared to be the only player missing apart from long-term absentee Radu Dragusin. Previewing the Bodo/Glimt semi-final, Postecoglou provided clarity on Son's injury status ahead of such a pivotal match in the team's season.

He said: "Son won't feature tomorrow night. He's still separate from the group and hopefully we can get him back soon."

When asked about the fitness of his players, he added: "I think we're in a good place. Looking at the output of players we've got some good minutes into players who needed it and managed the others.

"Players like Romero and Van de Ven have missed so much of the season, it's not just about getting back but how you manage when they come back. Dom played 60 minutes, Madders 45. They're all in a good place physically."

Postecoglou will be coming up against familiar opponents in Bodo/Glimt having faced them during his time as Celtic boss. The Scottish side crashed out 5-1 on aggregate back in 2022 but he will be hoping for a different outcome come Thursday evening.

"Same manager, similar style of play," said the Australian. "When we played them with Celtic, our season had got off to a slow start but by then we were playing good football.

"The atmosphere at Celtic Park is incredible and they had just beat Roma, they won't be fazed by anything that comes tomorrow. The away game will be tricky as well, you're playing on an artificial surface in different conditions."