Spurs 3-1 Bodo/Glimt | Ange’s verdict

Ange Postecoglou described the performance as ‘outstanding’ as we secured a 3-1 win in the first leg of our UEFA Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night.

We capitalised on a wonderful atmosphere in N17 to open the scoring through Brennan Johnson with only 37 seconds on the clock. James Maddison doubled the lead on 34 minutes and Dominic Solanke slotted home from the penalty spot after Cristian Romero was fouled by Jens Petter Hauge on the hour.

We’d racked up 23 efforts at goal to Bodo’s two as we entered the final 10 minutes, only for the Norwegian champions to pull a goal back with their third attempt seven minutes from time. We still carved out more opportunities, most notably Deki Kulusevski curling inches wide, but it stayed 3-1 and we will take that two-goal advantage to Bodo for the second leg next Thursday, 8 May, with a place in the final in Bilbao at stake. Manchester United toppled Athletic Club 3-0 in Bilbao in the first leg of their semi-final in Spain.

Speaking on our Review Show, Ange told us: “I’m really happy with the lads, I thought the performance was outstanding, as good as it could possibly be. I thought we were really organised and disciplined defensively, created plenty of opportunities, calm on the ball. I don’t think the scoreline reflects our dominance, but it puts us in a good position for the second leg.”

Ange on the line-up in midfield and the forward line...

“Obviously losing Lucas yesterday was a massive blow. I just felt with the balance of the team and the way they play, having Biss in there was going to be really important for us. I thought him and Rodri were outstanding, really maintaining our shape and composure with and without the ball, not allowing them to get any momentum. With Richy, as he showed with the first goal, I thought he could be a real handful for them with balls coming into the box. I knew he wouldn’t last the 90 minutes in that position because there are more demands on you, so I made the change at half-time, but I thought he was really good in the first half.

Ange on the start and scoring inside a minute...

“To be fair, I thought the crowd played their part, from the moment we walked out you could feel the energy in the stadium, that drove the boys and it was a brilliant start for us, a great ball in, Richy in the box and Brennan’s always in  the right position, he consistently puts himself in an area where he can score goals. It was a good goal and I thought we grew from there.”

Ange on Dom’s penalty...

“Credit to him. It says everything about him. He’s not fazed, he’s got clear focus about what he wants to do, and it was an important penalty, particularly when you see they scored late. That third goal gives us the extra buffer we need. Beyond that, his work rate is phenomenal. He works so hard for the team, sometimes selflessly, sometimes with very little reward, so for him to get a goal is credit for all the work he does for us.”

Ange’s latest on Dom and James Maddison, who both departed early...

“Both of them felt something niggly. It just made sense to take them both off and protect them a little.”

Clive Allen asked Ange on preparation and mentality for next week’s second leg...

“To be fair to the lads throughout the European campaign, they’ve done that. Frankfurt away was tough. They have just as an imposing home record, and we had to go there and win. The lads have grown throughout this European campaign, every challenge we’ve had. I remember we played AZ here (Round of 16, second leg) we’d lost the away leg, and it could get edgy and nervy, but the boys held their nerve. They’ve handled this European campaign really well. We know it will be tough there but we’ll prepare well and we’ll be ready.”

Ange on James Maddison’s leadership qualities and stepping up, on and off the pitch...

“Yes he has, on and off the field. He and Romero have been really important for us through this period. Again, their experience tonight was really important. I guess for us now, we’re in a strong position, which is where we wanted to be at the end of the first leg, but it’s only half-time and we have to go out there and get the job done.”

Ange on the team’s patience in the game...

“It was important because they are a team that like to play at a certain tempo, they almost turn it into a transition game, and if you allow that to happen, that’s really their strength. The boys knew tonight we had to take the heat out of the game at different times, and both Rodrigo and Biss at the right times made sure we had control of the ball, we didn’t want to give it away cheaply, and that didn’t stop us from being threatening, we still created enough chances to win the game convincingly.”