Latest news with #Postecoglu
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Spurs in fantasy land, woes mount for Manchester United
Kolkata: And with that Son Heung-min has got what Harry Kane had earlier this season. If Kane's first trophy felt like a formality, given how Bayern Munich dominate Bundesliga, Son's was more in the realm of fantasy. Whether the Europa League title changes Tottenham Hotspur in the way Ange Postecoglu thinks it will is debatable and one needs to look no further than Manchester United's victory in the same competition in 2016-17. But that is not a debate Spurs fans, players and officials celebrating a European title after 41 years and any kind of silverware after 2008 will want to engage in now. Return to Champions League next term, and the near £100m payout that comes with it, is more likely to be the immediate topic of discussion. That and how after Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F Marinos and Celtic, Ange Postecoglu has again won in his second season. A promise made in September by the big Aussie was delivered in his 100th game on Wednesday. 'People can bang on about our 20 league defeats and where we are but they're missing the point of what we're trying to build here… and I really feel that tonight can be a great platform for us to keep on,' said Postecoglu. But about this there is no doubt: Manchester United have not sunk this low since relegation in 1973-74. This will be the first time since 2014-15, and the second time in the last 35 years, that United will not be in Europe. Brennan Johnson's scrappy 42nd minute goal summed up the contest between teams fourth and fifth from the bottom of the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur came to Spain's San Memes without a win in their last six league matches which was two matches less than when Manchester United last logged full points. At no point did the final look like the teams were conserving energy for this, the season-defining evening. That teams 16th and 17th at home were in a final in Europe should call for introspection about skewed finances but will not. Finals are meant to be won, not played, remember. So, the aggressive high line that characterised Postecoglu's Spurs was replaced by a low block. Postecoglu had shown he could use the counter-attacking game too, especially in Europe, but this was Angeball tweaked into Jose Mourinho's anti-football. 'We managed not to score again,' Ruben Amorim told reporters after the 1-0 defeat. United had better xG, 16 shots to Spurs' three and six on target against the winners who had one. But not being able to find away after Spurs downed hatches showed how toothless they were in attack. Only twice did United really threaten in the second half, in the 68th and in the 97th. For the first, Micky van den Ven acrobatically cleared Rasmus Hojlund's header after Guglielmo Vicario had flapped at Bruno Fernandes's free-kick. For the second, Vicario redeemed himself with a good save after Diogo Dalot's delivery found Shaw. For most of the time in between, United aimed hopeful crosses at Harry Maguire. That, in effect, summed up United's season, one where they were seven points off a Champions League berth when Amorim took charge mid-season and are now 27 points off it. One where they have lost four times in all competitions to Spurs. Amorim, who has won 15 of his 41 matches, has said he will leave without compensation should the club and the fans want that but has also said the 3-4-2-1 formation United have struggled with will remain if he does. Making United's evening worse was the player who had shown consistency through the season going missing. Fernandes had seven goals and four assists in Europe. Used in central midfield, he was shackled by Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur. It was his pass intercepted in midfield by Sarr that led to the goal and it was not the only time that Fernandes had played a poor pass. So, for winners and losers there will be a lot of soul searching. Hailed at home as one inspiring the next generation of coaches, Postecoglu may have to leave the rebuilding a roster where Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are 19 and Mikey Moore 17 to someone else. If Amorim stays, United will have to overhaul the squad and the lack of Champions League money could force them to put Kobbie Mainoo or even Fernandes on sale.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
4-2-3-1 Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup Vs Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur will face off against Aston Villa at Villa Park this Friday night as they hope to earn a good result on the road in the Premier League. Spurs suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss at the hands of Crystal Palace recently. Hence, we can expect the London side to be eager to bounce back and find some form ahead of the UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United later this month. Ange Postecoglu will opt for the 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make some tweaks to his starting XI for this clash. Richarlison could get the nod to lead the line for Tottenham up top. 4-2-3-1 Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup To Face Aston Villa Defence Antonin Kinsky will continue to operate in between the sticks for Spurs after conceding twice in his last appearance. Kevin Danso will play alongside Ben Davies at the heart of Postecoglu's defence as they try to keep a good shape on the defensive end of the field. Advertisement Djed Spence will fill in as the right-back while Sergio Reguilon hopes to impress on the other flank as the left-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are expected to be rested on the bench as they provide cover for the centre-back positions. LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Mathys Tel of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Crystal Palace FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by) Midfield Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray will function as the holding midfielders for Tottenham as they focus on winning the 50-50 battles in the middle of the park. The gifted trio of Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore will get a chance to play just ahead of them as part of Postecoglu's attack. All three of them need to combine well if Spurs are to secure a good result this Friday night. Advertisement Yves Bissouma and Heung-Min Son will get a rest on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the second 45 minutes if required. Attack Richarlison will lead the charge for the North London club in the final third. The Brazilian attacker has to find a way to cause some problems for the Aston Villa centre-backs during the 90 minutes. Dominic Solanke will make up the numbers on the bench as he waits for his opportunity to make an impact in the final quarter of the game if Tottenham are in need of a goal by then.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool fans take no prisoners with ruthless chants at Tottenham players
Liverpool fans didn't hold back by rubbing in their side's comfortable 4-0 humbling over the visiting Tottenham Hotspur supporters Thursday evening at Anfield. Shouts of "London Bridge is falling down," echoed over and over as the Kop taunted their Southern visitors (per James Pearce of The Athletic). A normal rendition of "Liverpool, Liverpool" was instead tweaked to "Liverpool, Liverpool, taking the p---." For good reason: despite dropping the first leg 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, the Reds looked never in doubt in the second leg. Mohammed Salah's 34th-minute cross found Carabao Cup specialist Cody Gakpo on the opposing flank for a crisp finish to level the tie (Darwin Nunez attempted to meet the ball with a vicious scissor-kick but just missed). READ MORE: Arne Slot move proves genius for Liverpool as Richarlison left fuming - 5 talking points vs Spurs READ MORE: Liverpool's Premier League fixture with Aston Villa rescheduled due to Carabao Cup final clash Nunez, a standout on the night, drew a penalty from beleaguered Spurs keeper Antonin Kinksy early in the second half. Salah converted from the spot in an unsaveable fashion with a spectacular top-corner finish. Dominik Szobozlai finished off a cool 75th-minute move featuring both Alexis Mac Allister and Connor Bradley in the buildup. Captain Virgil van Dijk put a bow on a perfect evening with a towering 80th-minute header from a Mac Allister corner kick to send Liverpool to Wembley. While Arne Slot's Liverpool side will have a date with Newcastle on March 16 to win his first piece of silverware in England, Spurs coach Ange Postecoglu will see his club's trophy drought push past 18 years. Pundits in the Sky Sports studio were hardly surprised by the outcome. "I feel sorry for these young players," Jamie Redknapp said. "[Postecoglu] baffles me with his tactics." "It's Tottenham, when do Tottenham ever win a big game," Jamie Carragher said. Whenever they go into big games of football no one believes they're ever going to win. And that's not just me [saying that] as a Liverpool fan.' Though captain Heung-Min Son hit the bottom of Caomihin Kelleher's post, Tottenham barely offered anything going forward on Thursday. They attempted just five shots to Liverpool's 26 and were out-passed 580 to 326. Kevin Danso debuted for the club at center back but could do little to stop the rampant Liverpool attack. Tottenham has now failed to win any of its last 15 games at Anfield. Spurs lost the xG 4.37-0.19 and now have only the FA Cup and the Europa League in its never-ending attempt to salvage a trophy. With Postecoglu's side still missing more than a handful of players through injury (including Christian Romero, Mickey Van de Ven, Brannan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Gigi Vicario, and others), silverware seems far away from the Tottenham Hotspur trophy cabinet.
