Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou, has blasted Arsene Wenger’s suggestion that the winner of the Europa League should not automatically qualify for the Champions League.
Spurs currently hold a 3-1 advantage over Bodo/Glimt ahead of the second leg, and the club could clinch a spot in this year’s Europa League final if they avoid a defeat in Norway.
Speaking ahead of the return leg, Postecoglou simply said that the rules are the rules, and if the rule is for the Europa League winner to automatically qualify for the UCL, then it should be respected.
He believes Wenger’s comment is just another way of degrading Tottenham, and the Frenchman wouldn’t make such a statement if a different club was trying to win the UEL.
According to him, as soon as these critics see Spurs getting close to achieving anything, they come out in their numbers to say anything to diminish the club however they can.
“It is the rules. Why was it not an issue before? Last year, fifth place didn’t get you in — this year it does.
Spurs does crazy things to people. You put this club into any sentence and they all come out to try and diminish any way they can,” he said.
Ange disclosed that even if he has massive respect for Arsene, he used to manage Arsenal football club, and it is obvious Spurs and the Gunners don’t see eye to eye.
I have great respect for Arsene, one of the legends of the game, but it’s Spurs. They love it, you love it. Bring it on,” he said.
On the game vs Bodo/Glimt, Postecoglou said that his players have played disciplined and organised football in several return leg matches in the UEL thus far, therefore he’ll be expecting a similar approach from his boys tonight.
He disclosed that while Tottenham was quite nervy vs AZ after losing the first leg, they eventually handled the game very well and delivered a positive result against all odds.
“It doesn’t, really. The consistent thing always is that in the second legs, we’ve been disciplined, organised and calm in our approach, knowing exactly what we needed to do.
AZ at home, that could have been nervy, as we lost the first leg, but I thought the lads handled it really well. Frankfurt, going away, it was still 1-1 in the tie, knowing we had to win, again, in a really intimidating atmosphere. Again, we had clear heads in what we needed to do, and it will be the same tomorrow. We know what we have to do. We have to be disciplined and make sure we follow the game plan and allow our quality to take us through.
It’s as you’d expect. They create a good atmosphere here, the pitch plays differently, we know that, like all artificial surfaces, but what trumps all those things is the fact that it’s the second leg of a semi-final. That’s the most important thing. Whenever you play away in Europe, there are always challenges to overcome – the pitch, the environment, the atmosphere – and we’ve experienced a lot of that this year. The lads have grown through that, and this is another challenge for them tomorrow,” he added.
