Tottenham Hotspur

Martin Ho will welcome back Amanda Nilden for our trip to Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League at Joie Stadium on Saturday lunchtime (12noon UK).

The defender is available for selection once again after missing last weekend’s defeat to Everton due to a one-game suspension after accumulating five yellow cards in the competition.

It’s a positive boost for Martin as he will still be without two centre-backs Clare Hunt and Toko Koga plus forward Maika Hamano as they compete in the Women’s Asian Cup final on Saturday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, our Head Coach told the media: "Amanda is back with the squad after suspension but, apart from that, we're all good."

Defender Ella Morris remains in full training with the squad as she continues her return from anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) and, although Martin confirmed that it will be too soon for her to feature this weekend, he is hoping for minutes against Arsenal the following Saturday.

“This is too soon,” he added, when asked about an update on Martin. “She should be available for some minutes against Arsenal. It’s more giving her more opportunity to be in full contact training for numerous weeks before we push her on.

“You want to give her the opportunity to get comfortable and gain confidence in herself on the pitch, so this game a little bit too early but, she next week, she will be available for minutes if everything goes well in training that week.”

We still remain without long-term absentees Maite Oroz, Luana Buhler and Jess Naz for our clash with City.

Randal Kolo Muani has been named in France’s squad for their March international friendlies.

This month, Didier Deschamps side will embark on a mini-tour to the USA ahead of this summer’s World Cup in North America with a game against Brazil on Thursday 26 March, before a battle with Colombia three days later (Sunday 29 March).

Les Bleus will face Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before travelling east to Landover, Maryland, to play Colombia at Northwest Stadium.

Randal could make his first appearance for his nation since their UEFA Nations League third-place play-off win over Germany in June, which he started after scoring in their semi-final defeat to Spain.

Xavi Simons has emphasised the importance of our remaining fixtures in the Premier League this season – starting with Forest at home on Sunday (2.15pm UK).

Outstanding as he scored twice in our 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night – a performance that earned UEFA’s Man of the Match award – Xavi quickly turned his attentions to what team-mate Micky van de Ven has already described as a ‘massive’ fixture against Forest back in N17.

With eight games to go, we’re above Forest (17th) and West Ham (18th) by a point, with Leeds, two points above us, in our sights.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY after pulling the strings from his number 10 role against Atleti, Xavi told us: “Now, every game is a final for us. Not only Sunday, but it starts on Sunday and we have to keep this momentum. I think it's really good from tonight and we have to bring on Sunday that energy as well. If the energy, the passion and the desire to win is there, we will win.”

Xavi told us how the players were determined to bring spirit and fight to the second leg – an effort matched by our fans – and the Dutch playmaker said he was grateful with how the fans continue to get behind the team.

He added: “We know every game that we're playing at home, how important it is. Of course, things didn't go the way we wanted this season, but I'm really grateful for the way they're trying to help us. What I would say to them is please try to help us in the next game.”

Igor Tudor was full of praise for the performances of Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr as we toppled Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The pair formed our central midfield axis and were everywhere as we ran out 3-2 winners on the night in the Round of 16, second leg - but unfortunately went out 7-5 on aggregate.

Asked specifically about Archie's display in his post-match press conference, Igor responded: "He's a guy, you know the positions he plays everywhere, so probably this position in the middle is, I believe, the best one for him, but he's playing continually in the right way, in a good way.

"It's a mix of quality, physically and mentally, to always make the right choices and be humble and have legs to do so. He needs to continue this, he's still young, so every day he needs a new confirmation.

"Together with Pape, I see them very well, there's a quality between these two players. The last two games, they really made a difference.

"Also, I think Xavi was very good, happy for him, showed the talent, it was not easy to play there in the middle, where it's always difficult, in the front, Mathys also, did good things. Kolo as well, behind, so it was a sensation that even we can make it, when it was a foul on Xavi, the referee didn't give us the foul, that little bit changed the game, but as I said before, we take a good direction as a team and we need to continue."

Igor Tudor spoke to the media after our 3-2 win but 7-5 loss on aggregate to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday night.

Here's what he had to say...

I know Spurs are out, but were you very happy with that performance?

Igor: "It's nice, the sensation and feelings are mixed, of course. We are out, but as you said, it was a sensation of one very good team on the pitch, one very good performance of the players, the energy, as you said before, was very nice. From the first moment, the fans recognised that the team will try to do everything they can do, so from the first moment until the last moment, they were with us, it was beautiful. Thanks."

Archie Gray, what a performance, what did you make of him?

Igor: "I agree. He's a guy, you know the positions he plays everywhere, so probably this position in the middle is, I believe, the best one for him, but he's playing continually in the right way, in a good way. It's a mix of quality, physically and mentally, to always make the right choices and be humble and have legs to do so. He needs to continue this, he's still young, so every day he needs a new confirmation. Together with Pape, I see them very well, there's a quality between these two players. The last two games, they really made a difference. But also, I think Xavi was very good, happy for him, showed the talent, it was not easy to play there in the middle, where it's always difficult, in the front, Mathys also, did good things. Kolo as well, behind, so it was a sensation that even we can make it, when it was a foul on Xavi, the referee didn't give us the foul, that little bit changed the game, but as I said before, we take a good direction as a team and we need to continue."

You created a lot of chances - what's clicked?

Igor: "You work, you work, you work, and then there is a game that shows what you work for. The players, what was the key, they believed that we can pass, so they really believed that was the key, after 1-0 more. As I said before, the performance in this moment where we are, it's very important that it happens, this kind of performance, three days after Liverpool."

How important was that first Atletico first goal and the not given foul on Xavi?

Igor: "Yes, but for me it was key, it was obviously a foul. Okay, this is how it is."

You've worked a lot with the team - do you think you are starting to see the fruits of your labours with the way the team is playing?

Igor: "Of course the last two games we improved, but as I said two games before, it's impossible to judge these two games, because what happened in the first 20 minutes against Madrid, there is nothing about the coach, team, tactics, training. There is nothing about it. I believe Crystal Palace, the game before, we had 1-0 and total control of the game - red card so as well, nothing about it. In football, you need confirmation every day, every day, every day, every Sunday. There is on Sunday an important game as we know but it will not decide nothing yet. As I said before, it will be decided everything in the last two or three games, I believe."

Do you have confidence that it won't be too long before Tottenham are back in Europe?

Igor: "No, why should it be? Next year, no. The year after that, can go again. Why not? Winning a trophy last season gave confidence to the players, for sure. They feel like in European competition, because as you know, it's totally different if you have this experience in European competition, with a lot of players who win that, so this gives you more confidence when you play European competition games. So we saw this even today. When you are a Europa League winner and you come to play today, you feel strong. They showed this in the pitch from the first moment. After seeing today, there is even more questions about the first game. If it didn't happen, what happened, I believe we have a good chance to pass against Atletico Madrid. Even I need to repeat that today we have again 11 players and on the bench just one player. One player is Danso. All three players - Bergvall, Udogie and Conor - doctors say they can play at least maximum 20 minutes, 25 minutes. So, you have only Danso as a substitute. You play with 11 plus Danso in this kind of a game, and I don't count these two young players. So imagine the situation, imagine the value of this victory here. You need to make a proclamation of substitutes, what happens if someone is out, how we can deal with Bergvall and Conor. So, it's a really particular moment, but you know how it is here in Tottenham, better than me with this kind of injuries. The value of this performance is even bigger because of these things."

How important was it for the team to feel this winning feeling again?

Igor: "I agree, I agree it was important. That's why I was angry about the counter attack in the last minute. We go with nine... I got a little bit angry there because in the last minute at least you wanted to take this, but I understand the players wanted to score a goal. It was nice in the end to at least take the victory. What you said, it's important also for the morale."

If feels like you've landed on a 4-4-2 system that suits the players?

Igor: "We will see, we will see. It's more other things. The system of course, but especially in this moment, the system is a mentality."

Igor Tudor had mixed emotions after our 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid but, ultimately, our exit from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

On the one hand, Igor was ‘proud’ of the performance having gone into the second leg of the Round of 16 tie 5-2 down from last week's first leg in Madrid. On the other, however, ‘sad’ that we didn’t overturn that deficit on what could have been a night of all European nights in N17.

Always looking to get on the front foot, we took the lead on 30 minutes when Randal Kolo Muani planted home his header from Mathys Tel’s cross.

Chances came and went but at 1-0 on the night, we looked in position to attack the second half – only for Atleti to level at 1-1 and restore their three-goal overall lead through Julian Alvarez two minutes into the second half.

We came roaring back with our best spell as Xavi Simons curled home beautifully for 2-1 and Pedro Porro twice tested Juan Musso, only for David Hancko to deflate us with Atleti’s second equaliser on the night. That would prove enough for the La Liga side but we fought on to take a deserved victory when Xavi was fouled in the penalty area, picked himself up and dispatched the spot kick for the final 3-2 scoreline – Atleti progressing 7-5 on aggregate.

Speaking to us afterwards, Igor reflected: “I thought we played very well. It was a sensation from the first minute that the players were going strong and they wanted to do it. The fans recognised this and until the last minute they were together with us.

“So, proud of the performance, and sad, because we didn't pass, but good for morale, good for everyone, not just the players, but also the club and the fans before we finished the season. It will be important.”

Asked about the connection between players and fans, Igor said: “Yes, a beautiful sensation on the pitch. I really enjoyed it from the first to the last moment of the game. It was magical.

“The guys pushed from the first moment. They believed that we could do it, so that was the key. After 1-0, the idea was, as I said before, to just take 1-0 and see what happened. Then the referee didn't give the foul on Xavi (before Alvarez’s first equaliser). It was a key moment of the game.

“That’s football, it's always about that. It's about details, about mistakes. So, the sensation that if it didn't happen, what happened after 20 minutes in Madrid, we could have a big probability to pass. But this is the past - we need to watch the future.”

A battling performance full of spirit and passion earned us a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, but that wasn’t enough to overturn our first leg deficit as we tumbled out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage.

Trailing 5-2 from last week’s game in the Spanish capital, we just couldn’t close the gap enough in the return at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, even though we fought every inch of the way and picked up a decent win – Igor Tudor’s first as our Head Coach – and one which extends our unbeaten home run in European competition to 25 matches.

Randal Kolo Muani got the ball rolling with the opening goal and we led at half-time, only for Julian Alvarez to restore parity immediately after the break. Xavi Simons swiftly replied and added a second from the spot in the 90th minute but, in between his brace, David Hancko netted Atletico’s second equaliser.

We had a host of other good chances throughout the game but ultimately, the three-goal deficit was too big a mountain to climb. There was some good news on the night though, with the returns from injury of Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie, who came off the bench late on, as did Callum Olusesi for his Champions League debut.

Just six minutes were on the clock when Ademola Lookman turned the ball home from close range at the far post but the flag went up and VAR agreed with the offside call. Our first shot across the Atletico bows came in the 10th minute but Juan Musso easily saved Mathys Tel’s low curler. The French forward had another effort in the 22nd minute, a snapshot from 15 yards out from Radu Dragusin’s ball into the box, but Musso denied him again.

Tel was at the heart of most of our good moments and did really well to get on the end of a Xavi pass, skip around Robin Le Normand down the inside left channel before hitting a shot from a very tight angle which Musso pushed away for a corner. It was a really bright start and when the opening goal came on the half-hour mark, it was no more than we deserved. Of course Tel was involved, receiving Pedro Porro’s throw in and delivering a quick cross into the box which Kolo Muani met with an excellent header into the bottom corner.

Atletico responded with a spell of pressure of their own, only forcing Guglielmo Vicario into one comfortable save though before we really should have doubled our lead. It started with some wonderful footwork from Archie Gray in midfield as we worked the ball through Xavi and out to Tel wide left, he burst into the area and could have rolled the ball across the six-yard box where a couple of team-mates were waiting with a tap-in, but went for goal instead and Musso made a good stop to deny him.

As the half drew to a close, the visitors had their best chances. First Alvarez hit a 20-yard drive that flicked off Pape Matar Sarr and clipped the top of the net before a stunning save from Vicario kept us in front on the night, sticking out a big hand when already on his way down to save Marcos Llorente’s rocket that deflected off Cristian Romero. That meant we went in still ahead at the break and it felt very much game on.

However, just two minutes into the second period Atletico levelled the game. There looked to be a foul on Xavi by Alvarez on the edge of the visitors’ box but play was waved on and Atletico broke, the ball ending up at the feet of Alvarez inside our area and he smashed home from 12 yards.

That didn’t set us back too much though as five minutes later, we were back in front when Gray broke forwards and found Xavi, who produced a wonderful right-foot curler from 20 yards which beat Musso to reignite our challenge. There was no shortage of belief in the stands and on the pitch and we almost added a third around the hour mark, first Musso pulling off a magnificent save to keep out Porro’s shot with the outside of his right foot before Dragusin’s far post header went straight into the keeper’s arms.

Atletico were always a danger in attack and we needed Vicario to make a good save to deny Alvarez after the former Manchester City striker did superbly well to skip past Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence before getting his shot away. Our Italian keeper then tipped over Alvarez’s dipping 25-yard free-kick with an excellent save but, from the corner, Hancko got first contact on a near-post cross and his header hit the back of the net to make it 2-2 on the night with 15 minutes remaining.

That took the sting out of the game and we made a number of substitutions, probably with one eye on Sunday’s vital Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest. But we kept battling all the way to the end and, just as the game entered its final minute, Xavi was tripped in the area by Nicolas Gonzalez and a penalty was awarded. Xavi stepped up to send Musso the wrong way. Five minutes of stoppage time were added on and we created another chance, only for Hancko to block Kolo Muani’s shot when a goal looked a certainty. In the end, we fell short, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort.

Igor Tudor has explained that Dominic Solanke misses tonight's Champions League last 16 decider against Atletico Madrid with a hip problem, but he hopes the forward will be back to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Yesterday, our Head Coach revealed that Dom was a doubt for the clash with Atleti and it has now been confirmed that the striker has not made the game, with a hip issue sidelining him.

However, Igor explained that the he does not expect the problem to be a 'big deal' and is hopeful our number 19 will be back and ready to face Forest on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of the game, Igor said: "Unfortunately he has some problem with the hip. It is no big deal but he hasn't made it for today but I think he will be good for Sunday."

We can now confirm the starting XI and substitutes for tonight’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid (8pm UK).

Trailing 5-2 on aggregate from the first leg in Madrid last week, Igor Tudor has made four changes to the side that started Sunday's 1-1 draw away to Liverpool in the Premier League.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven return in defence having missed the trip to Anfield through injury and suspension respectively.

Xavi Simons replaces the suspended Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani comes into the frontline in place of Dominic Solanke who misses out this evening after picking up a 'small problem' in the week.

As Igor mentioned in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie both return from injury to make the matchday squad as substitutes whilst Conor Gallagher has recovered from his illness to make the bench against his former side.

Here’s our team in full...

Starting XI: Vicario, Dragusin, Xavi, Tel, Gray, Romero (c), Pedro Porro, Spence, Sarr, van de Ven, Kolo Muani.

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Udogie, Bergvall, Gallagher, Olusesi, Kyerematen, Rowswell.

Micky van de Ven opened up on how much our current predicament is hurting both him and his team-mates and everyone at the Club in an exclusive interview with SPURSPLAY at Hotspur Way on Tuesday, ahead of our UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second leg against Atletico Madrid at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening (8pm UK).

From his red card against Palace, thoughts on the first leg against Atleti in Madrid to the team’s recovery at Anfield on Sunday and looking ahead to a huge few days in N17 – ending on Sunday with a crucial Premier League encounter against Forest – Micky spoke from the heart – here’s what he had to say...

First of all, how are you feeling going into this second leg? We know what happened in the first leg, is there belief that we can turn it around?

Micky: "Yeah, I think if there's no belief..."

There has to be belief, right?

Micky: "Exactly. There's belief in the whole group, in the dressing room, everywhere, there's belief that we can do something special."

Take us into that dressing room this week after Anfield, I know you were suspended so you watched from home, but what's it been like Monday and Tuesday since the players have been back?

Micky: “It just gives us a little boost. It sounds maybe strange because you've only got a point, but the situation we're in right now, every result we can get is a massive one. We've lost a lot of games lately, so when you can get a point away at Anfield, where the guys showed some great character and great mentality, that's a good feeling to go into the next day.”

It had to be Richy at Anfield as well, didn't it?

Micky: “Richy was unbelievable in the game, he kept fighting, and we know he loves to play against Liverpool, because that's his feeling every time. Yeah, an unbelievable performance from him.”

There’s no easy way to talk about it, but it’s been a difficult season – how are you and the team feeling about it?

Micky: “It's tough. The season is so tough for everyone in the dressing room as well, especially after Bilbao, everybody hopes to get the next season, you just keep building on that success, but we've been struggling this season. Obviously, we’ve had injuries, but also when we had the injuries we had some top players out on the pitch as well, but sometimes you need everyone together, and then this player falls out and this guy comes back in, and this guy falls out. It's obviously really tough when you're on the pitch and every time you need to walk off the pitch with zero points. The only thing you play for is to get the three points, because then you have to feel the whole week you've trained for something. So, it's just really tough in the dressing room as well, every player is just devastated with the situation we're in right now, and everybody just wants to turn this around as soon as possible.”

You're such an outgoing character, Micky - how has this affected you?

Micky: “A lot, the situation we're in right now is just difficult. Also, for me, playing-wise, you always want to play your best games. I know I haven't been playing my best lately, and obviously this is something I struggle with as well, because I always want to give my best to the fans and to the club and to the players. But as I said, the situation is just really tough, and it's just something we want to change around.”

I can't imagine what you felt when you walked down the tunnel after the red card against Palace - football hurts, doesn't it?

Micky: “It does, especially after you come 1-0 up, and it's just like a split-second moment, and it just happens. In this moment, you just pull him a little bit, and he just falls down straight away and in your head you know straight away what's going to happen. At that moment, you just do what you think is best. It sounds maybe strange, but it's just something that happens. It's just a split-second, and when you see that red card, it feels like you let the team down. Straight away at half-time I apologised to the guys as well, I just said, like, ‘yeah, sorry guys, this one is on me’. It even hurts me more that we come 1-0 up, and after this moment the whole game changes, and you see the guys as well, it's devastating. Even the second half with 10 men, they did really well, and they kept pushing, they kept fighting. It's just a really difficult moment. It hurts at that moment as well, because you have to feel that you've let the team down.”

Just talking to you now, you can see how much it gets to you, doesn't it? It's painful, you don't want to be in this position…

Micky: “No, because I don't think this club deserves to be in this position. Everybody in the club is working so hard to be where we need to be, and we are a top six team. Tottenham is a massive club, where it's an unbelievable place, where it's unbelievable people working at this training ground. We just don't deserve to be in this moment. The people, I would say, don't deserve to be, the club doesn't deserve to be in this moment, and it’s on us to change it around. It has been a really tough season, with the Atletico game, we have eight Premier League games left in the Premier League. We just need to make sure we get results there and turn things around, and then finish the season in a positive way, because that's difficult, but in a good way, and then just make sure we go again next season.”

Two games this week – Atletico Madrid, the manager said it’s ‘difficult, but not impossible’ – it’s all about belief that we can turn it around, right?

Micky: “Yeah, there is belief, obviously. What you say, if we don't have belief, we might as not play the game. Everybody has the belief we can turn things around…”

We did create chances out there…

Micky: “Obviously, there are three moments that killed the game straight away, with me slipping, with Toni slipping, moments that killed the whole game. Normally, this wouldn't happen. It was just like three things, the moment we're in right now, does this really need to happen right now? But it happened, and we can't change something about it, so we just need to make sure we go out there tomorrow night and give our all. Like I said, we have nothing to lose, so hopefully we can make it a nice one.”

I know your focus is on Atleti, but Forest is coming up Sunday, and that is… you tell me… massive….

Micky: “Yeah, massive, and a really important game. It's a must-win. It's before the international break, but hopefully we can win this game and go with a good feeling into the international break. What you said, it's a massive game for us, and we all well know how big this game is. Obviously, we first need to play tomorrow, we need to play a good game, and from there we build on to the weekend - but we all know that Sunday is a really important game, not only for us, but I think for the club and for the fans as well.”

The fans are going to be massive for us this week, aren't they?

Micky: “They're good for us. I know the situation is really tough for them as well, but it's just most important that they keep pushing us, keep standing behind us, and trust me, we’ll do everything to turn this around.”