Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur has come under fire for not securing a more definitive lead in their Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodø/Glimt, despite a 3-1 victory at home. Critics have zeroed in on the late goal conceded in the 83rd minute, which has left the Norwegian champions with a glimmer of hope heading into the second leg.
Bodø/Glimt’s stand-in captain, Ulrik Saltnes, found the net after a deflected shot that eluded Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, giving his team a crucial lifeline. Post-match, Postecoglou maintained that the scoreline did not reflect his team’s dominance, expressing optimism that a repeat of their performance would be sufficient to advance.
However, European football analyst Andy Brassell disagreed, suggesting that Tottenham failed to capitalise on their opportunity to decisively end the contest. He pointed out that Spurs relaxed too much in the latter stages of the match, which allowed Bodø/Glimt a chance to regroup and prepare for the return leg, where key players such as Patrick Berg and Hakon Evjen will be back from suspension.
Brassell critiqued Tottenham for not pushing their advantage harder, reminiscent of previous matches in the tournament where they let opportunities slip. Former footballer Mark Bosnich echoed these sentiments, labelling the situation as “dangerous” for Spurs, who could have effectively secured the tie with a larger margin of victory.
Despite the criticisms, Spurs remain in a strong position to progress to the Europa League final, which could set up an all-English clash against Manchester United. Winning the Europa League is crucial for Tottenham, not only for the prize of silverware but also to secure a place in next season’s lucrative Champions League, as their current standing in the Premier League suggests they will struggle to qualify through domestic performance.
As they prepare for the second leg scheduled for 5am next Friday (AEST), the pressure is on Tottenham to reinforce their position and ensure they do not regret the opportunities missed in the first encounter.