by Tottenham defeated Bodo/Glimt in her semi -finals of the Europa League after a dominant exhibition that was slightly impaired by Ulrik Saltnes’ late strike for visitors.
Spurs seemed to drive to a comfortable victory before the derived strike of the midfielder of the Norwegian side gave a leash in the draw next Thursday before the determination.
Brenan Johnson’s header after only 38 seconds Spurs brought the perfect start and James Maddison doubled her lead before half -time with a cute exit.
Dominic Solanke made it 3-0 from the penalty point after Cristian Romero was caught, but the center forward and Maddison were both injured in a frustrating end of the game for Spurs.
Here are three Spurs discussion points out of the game …
Spores halfway to Bilbao
Tottenham took an important step towards a European League final in Bilbao on May 21, but will have mixed feelings after a sloppy late goal in a two-goal victory.
With a 3-0 pillow, Spurs would have been viewed as an overwhelming favorite for progress, but Glimt will be a completely different statement for her artificial place in the Arctic circle next week and to reorganize three players from suspension-in such a way of influencing captain Patrick Berg.
You will believe that you can overthrow a 2-0 lead, especially after you have hit Lazio at home in the quarter-finals at home.
However, Spurs have a significant grip on the tie after using the advantage of the home and should be confident of ending the work in Norway, provided you maintain your serenity.
The quality of the opposition is a factor for this competition, but the creditworthiness must go to Postecoglou and his players, who have shown again that you can achieve great results in Europe despite your miserable league form.
Spurs still have a long way in front of him, but Postecoglou is approaching the promise to win something in his second season and to change the prospects of the bleak campaign of the association.
Injuries a main concern for Spurs
What could be remembered as a historical night for Spurs in time seemed to get costs after Maddison and Solanke had both been defeated with injuries in the second half.
Maddison immediately signaled the bank after driving up in the 65th minute, while Solanke fell into the lawn shortly afterwards that caught his hip.
Her departures changed the game that was a way to traffic, and Spurs was missing a spark without a Maddison and could not hold the ball up after Mathys Tel Solanke replaced in advance.
It would be a big concern for Postecoglou if one or both English caps are not available in Norway, especially when Lucas Bergvall injured his ankle on Wednesday and saw on the bench on crutches and bears a protective boot.
Suddenly there is a risk that Spurs injury problems will return at the worst time.
For Postecoglou, however, a potentially seismic night must have been satisfactory during his tenure because his great selection decisions were justified.
The eyebrows were pulled up in the press room when the lineups were announced, with Yves Bisouma for mountain Vall and Richarlison came into the base of the midfield on the left wing.
Bissouma was replaced in three of his last four Spurs starts during the break and seemed to have been bombed by Postecoglou, while Richarlison had never started a game with Solanke and was last mentioned in the XI in October 2023.
And yet the couple were an influence on the dream start of Spurs within 38 seconds. Bissoum winced Ole Dirdik Blomberg’s armpits to win the possession, and Richarlison led Porros Kreuz in the way of Johnson, who couldn’t miss it.
Spores again pragmatic
This was not a victory based on the principles of “Ant-Ball”, but another pragmatic and surprising direct presentation of Spurs.
The page of Postecoglou was pleased to long from Tor-Kicks or the center, and there was even the rare sight of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from the referee because he had walked over a restart at the end of the first half.
After their pragmatic display in Frankfurt in the quarter-finals in the second leg, which they with five defenders on the field and concerted attempts to run down the clock, were another demonstration that Poseteclou is willing to optimize his “non-negotiable” in this phase of the competition in order to exceed his side.
You face a big test for these more pragmatic properties in northern Norway next week.
