Mourinho says Tottenham fear no team in the Europa League round of 32 as they face Royal Antwerp in a Group J decider
Speaking in an interview (h/t The Guardian), Jose Mourinho has claimed that his Tottenham Hotspur side fears no team going into the Europa League round of 32 even after Manchester United dropping down to the competition from the UEFA Champions League.
Tottenham have already qualified for the UEFA Europa League round of 32 with a game to spare as they prepare to face Royal Antwerp on matchday 6 of the group stages on Thursday.
Qualification to the knockout stages might be sealed but the top spot in Group J is still up for grabs. Antwerp lead the group with 12 points but will be leapfrogged by Spurs if they lose tonight. (h/t The Guardian)
Antwerp are the only team to beat Tottenham Hotspur in their last 19 games in all competitions but Jose Mourinho will be hoping to reverse that result this time around in order to avoid facing other group winners in the next round.
Speaking about the possibility of not winning their group, Mourinho mentioned that Spurs should not fear playing any team in the competition at this stage, but he would not be averse to avoiding other group winners.
“Is it fundamental that we win our group? I don’t think it is. I don’t think we should be afraid of playing any team in the next phase. But normally the teams that win the groups are the best teams, so if you can avoid them in the next draw it will be an advantage.”
This quote from the Portuguese comes after his former side Manchester United dropped down to the Europa League following a loss to RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
Mourinho will not face Manchester United until at least the round of 16 as teams from the same country cannot play against each other in the round of 32.
