Europa league final discussion and match thread 20:00 - 21st May (Free on TNT sports)

[Havocc]

With the Europa League final just around the corner, it's starting to feel very real! After a long and dramatic campaign, here we are — one match away from lifting a major European trophy. It's been a rollercoaster of a season, but the lads have shown real grit and growth to get to this point.

What are everyone’s thoughts going into the final?

• Who should start — does Ange stick with what's worked, or make tactical tweaks for the big occasion?
• Which player do you think will be the key difference-maker?
• And how are we feeling overall — confident, nervous, cautiously optimistic?

Also curious to hear where you’ll all be watching it — pub with mates, at home, or lucky enough to be there in person?

COYS!

 

[Style And Glory]

Yes, we are finally in this position once again.
For some reason, Ange has been able to adjust / tweak his tactics far more in this competition than in the Prem. He has to continue to do so. That said, we've managed to beat ManU 3 times already this season be that in the Prem or Cup. What concerns me, is in these situations, it's the team that's been repeatedly defeated that has the most to gain in a replay. But I'm still confident. Above all else, we need to play our game & contain that little cheat Fernandes. Can't stand that type of player & so glad he doesn't play for us.

COYS

 

[ClemFandango]

There are so many “Spursy” things that can come out of this final but my favourite at the moment is that we’ll win the trophy and then go on to win the Super Cup to be crowned the best team in Europe despite finishing 17th.

 

[USspur]

Took the afternoon off work to watch on the 21st.

 

[J.spurs]

With the Europa League final just around the corner, it's starting to feel very real! After a long and dramatic campaign, here we are — one match away from lifting a major European trophy. It's been a rollercoaster of a season, but the lads have shown real grit and growth to get to this point.

What are everyone’s thoughts going into the final?

• Who should start — does Ange stick with what's worked, or make tactical tweaks for the big occasion?
• Which player do you think will be the key difference-maker?
• And how are we feeling overall — confident, nervous, cautiously optimistic?

Also curious to hear where you’ll all be watching it — pub with mates, at home, or lucky enough to be there in person?

COYS!

I'll be watching at home with my boys, one of whom will skip school for the occasion.

This season has been so random that I have no idea what to expect--you could say the same for the opposition. I think Ange will stick with the approach we've seen in the knockout rounds of the EL. I could honestly see this being a pretty dire spectacle for the neutral. But again, who knows? I am, I guess, cautiously optimistic despite everything.

The player I think has to perform for us to win is Solanke. He's not flashy, and hasn't produced the goals we'd like to see, but he does have the grit and graft for this kind of game. His movement and hold-up play creates time and space for our wide players to play in, which will be especially important against United's system.

I have to say one other thing: I'm getting tired of hearing the pundits talk about the CL, and how neither of these teams would be deserving of a spot. Honestly, I don't give a fuck about the CL. For me it's about the trophy and the trophy only.

 

[ClemFandango]

Apparently Kulusevski is having pain killing injections and his appearance in the final is considered a "major doubt" while not being completely ruled out.

Could mean that Sonny starts out wide. Also could mean, hopefully, Sonny puts in a lifetime performance because he'll likely realise it's his last chance to actually achieve something with us.

 

[Havocc]

Deki out for the rest of the season.

That’s is Madders, Bergvhal and Deki lost since the first leg

 

[ClemFandango]

Yeah, official confirmation sadly.

 

[BrooklynYid]

Almost forced into a 4-2-3-1 now. Although who plays the 10 I couldn't tell you. Maybe Tel? Good luck, Ange!

 

[Yid]

How can you be confident...? Even the games we've played in this competition hav been far from convincing at times...

Of course I will be watching, at home, without a beer as a recent short stay in hospital has set me up with Type 1... It's shit...

We're missing important players and Deki has arguably been the best of a very bad bunch this season. He will be missed...

We'll need that midfield to seriously play well. Bentancu/Sarr/Bisouma can't fuck around and will have to pool their creativity to muster up the decent forward passing that they generally lack in spades...

I think Vicario is key for us. We can't defend for shit and he is a great shot stopper. He needs to just not fuck around and make a clanger.

I want a trophy, of course I do... But I just can't let myself get excited about the prospect because the disappointment will be even worse.

 

[ClemFandango]

I'm type 2. Type 1 is shit news man, sorry to hear that.

 

[Dave]

This will be utter chaos. Loads of goals, loads of clangers, and the theme tune from The Benny Hill show for the entire game.
4-3 win.

 

[J.spurs]

This will be utter chaos. Loads of goals, loads of clangers, and the theme tune from The Benny Hill show for the entire game.
4-3 win.

Better than that shit Europa League anthem.

 

[spurious]

Was going to go into Toronto to watch this at an awesome dive bar that is fully Yid. Cash only, properly full of drunks and the indigent. Not a television in the place, but they hang a couple from the trees in the back patio when Spurs are playing. Alas, due to a confluence of family obligations, I'll be watching at my local, but the landlord is a Welshman who is going to be Spurs for the day because he hates ManU. Not sure if that's a good omen or not.

Very much hoping for a barn-burner from the chicken man. I want him and Solanke banging up their back line until the men in red are wishing for an early plane home. Thinking Porro and Udogie will be key as well. Very worried about the midfield as always. Bentancur and Bissouma have been decent, but who will play the 10?

 

[ClemFandango]

Apparently the final will be free to watch on the Discovery+ app - no subscription required.

 

[Glenjamin]

Fuck knows what will happen to be honest. If we even remotely turn up we should beat them, but they are winners in recent times and we're not....

Any going to the stadium? I'm booking flights tonight.

 

[ClemFandango]

It's quite something how far apart the extremes are going to be in this game.

Win and it's our first trophy for 17 years, qualification for the Champions League and (just about) a successful season.

Lose and it's the worst season we've ever had and a feeling of malaise that might not go away for a long time.

 

[USspur]

It's quite something how far apart the extremes are going to be in this game.

Win and qualification for the Champions League and (just about) a successful season.

Lose and it's the worst season we've ever had and a feeling of malaise that might not go away for a long time.

and for both teams

 

[J.spurs]

and for both teams

Yeah, they're under massive pressure too. Might honestly be a bit of a slog as a game for exactly that reason

 

[ClemFandango]

Apparently Bergvall has travelled with the squad to Bilbao.

 

[USspur]

Apparently Bergvall has travelled with the squad to Bilbao.

So has Madders

 

[ClemFandango]

So has Madders

I suppose we shouldn't really read too much into it as it's likely the whole squad was going to travel anyway. It would have been quite harsh for them to have stayed at home and missed out on the winners medals that we're definitely going to get ...

 

[USspur]

Llorente in the team tomorrow?

 

[USspur]

fuck the TNT sports team. Get him in the XI, Ange!

 

[USspur]

Stansted airport this morning​

https://www.reddit.com/r/coys/?f=flair_name:"Picture"

 

[USspur]

 

[USspur]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[USspur]

Postecoglou press conference LIVE - Spurs boss on Lucas Bergvall and Man United

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach and two of his players are speaking to reporters out in Bilbao ahead of the Europa League final against Manchester United

www.football.london

Postecoglou on his future​

I don't think my job is done here. I think a trophy would accelerate that and I think there's a lot still to be done. The challenges we've had are well chronicled but I think there's been some growth in there.

16:21Alasdair Gold

Postecoglou on whether he's talked to the Spurs players about his future​

No, because I think that would be not really helpful in what is before us right now. I've said to the lads from day one, nothing is guaranteed in life or in sport. You have to try to take every opportunity that is ahead of you. I've been in this position before where the big game was the last game I'd manage and that's something I've navigated before.

16:19Alasdair Gold

Postecoglou on Son​

Not many players have come from Asia and stayed in the Premier League, the best league in the world, for so long and it would be great to cap that off with a trophy for him.

16:18Alasdair Gold

On being the first Greek manager to take charge of a club in a European final​

I'm very proud. I was born in Greece, I'm a very proud Greek. My father made sure I understood what it meant to be Greek and I always have.
He's not here today but he's with me all the time. I feel it very strongly. I love Greece and I think that's where I'll retire one day. I love Australia as well and even though football's not a big sport there you grow up believing you can take anyone on.

16:13Alasdair Gold

More from the Spurs boss on whether this is his penultimate game​

Doesn't matter. It doesn't matter really because the reality of it is the opportunity is the same for me and more importantly the club. Whatever happens beyond tomorrow is irrelevant when you think about the opportunity right now and that's to provide something special for this club and its fans and everyone who has worked so hard for this. Whatever happens after that I'm very comfortable that I'll be continuing to try to win trophies wherever I am.

16:05Alasdair Gold

Postecoglou on team news​

Pretty much the same as last week. Lucas isn't available. Pape is fine.

16:02Alasdair Gold

Son on ignoring the league form going into this game​

Where we are is unnacceptable but right now it's not the right time to think about. To reach the final you have to beat some good teams and play away with discipline and have belief in yourself. We can change the whole bad season in the league with a trophy. Tottenham have been missing that and we can change that.

16:01Alasdair Gold

Porro on playing a final in Spain​

It's very special because we knew the final would be here in Bilbao so for Spanish players like me it's special

15:57Alasdair Gold

Son on whether it's his last chance to win a trophy​

The future we never know. Next year we might play in the Champions League. The chance that I have now is real. It's a fact. It's a final, a Europa League final. I'm not thinking whether this is my last chance to win a trophy here or just another chance.

15:56Alasdair Gold

Porro on the final​

A final is a final and we just need to stay focused, remain focused on ourselves and do the best we can.

15:55Alasdair Gold

Son on that start to the final in 2019​

I still don't think it was a handball.

15:54Alasdair Gold

Porro on the trophy wait​

It's a very important moment for us and we know it. The fans know it as well. I think they also give us that extra pressure from the outside and that's fine because they haven't seen us win a title in a long time. The best thing is for us to remain focused.

15:53Alasdair Gold

More from the captain on playing in 2019​

Still Ben Davies is here. It will be a huge moment for us. We always say the first step is the hardest and if we can win that trophy we can change the mentality and compete for more trophies.

15:51Alasdair Gold

Son on the Korean fans who will be tuning in early in the morning​

I really appreciate that they are supporting me and us in the early morning or late night. They're always here and I want to give them something back. I want to give them my smile and the trophy and a historic moment.

15:42Alasdair Gold

Son and Porro are coming through first​

The Tottenham players will be doing a joint press conference in a moment before Postecoglou does his afterwards.
15:22Alasdair Gold

Brennan Johnson spoke about that training ground accident​

We spoke to Brennan Johnson about that training ground accident with Sergio Reguilon and he also spoke about what Ange Postecoglou demands he does and why Spurs will come up with a new plan for Man United. You can find that all by heading right here.
14:56Alasdair Gold

Micky van de Ven has been talking​

The Dutchman has been speaking about why people warned him when he joined Spurs and proving them wrong, why Postecoglou has proved the media wrong, his dad's remarkable career and overcoming being told he wasn't good enough when he was young. You can find that all by heading right here.
14:55Alasdair Gold

Welcome to Bilbao​

Ange Postecoglou, Son Heung-min and Pedro Porro will be speaking to us in a little while.

 

[USspur]

 

[USspur]