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Tottenham star keen to reward fans with ‘something special’ as European showdown awaits
Micky van de Ven was excellent and helped Tottenham keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League
Tottenham Hotspur were brilliant over the two legs of the Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt, winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate.
Ange Postecoglou’s side won the first 3-1 at home last week. The consolation goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had given Bodo/Glimt hope to turn things around in the return leg. However, Spurs were resolute in their defending and kept the Norwegian side at bay for 60 minutes, before Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro scored to put the tie beyond their reach.
An away win in tricky conditions must have been a morale booster for the players. The performance at the Aspmyra Stadion was built on a strong defensive performance, combined with the attacking punch. One of the heroes of that rock-solid display was Micky van de Ven.
Having been given a breather against West Ham United at the weekend, Micky van de Ven was restored to the starting XI along with his centre-back partner Cristian Romero. Both Van de Ven and Romero were terrific at the back, along with the full-backs Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, and their performances were hailed by Spurs legend Graham Roberts.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Van de Ven said the team showed great character and mentality to win 2-0 on a difficult surface and conditions. He also touched on the poor Premier League form but wants to make the season special by lifting the European trophy.
“Unbelievable feeling. What can I say? We had a tough season but we’re one game away from winning some silverware,” Van de Ven told TNT Sports (h/t BBC Sport).
“We showed some character today, some mentality also. They didn’t create any chances today and then we scored two goals and kept a clean sheet. The artificial grass, it’s cold and rainy, we showed great mentality to win 2-0.
“We want to thank them all for their support and let’s go to Bilbao. In the league we’re not doing well but we can make it something special.”
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There is every opportunity for Van de Ven and Tottenham to salvage the season to some extent by winning the Europa League game. Big Ange has come under a lot of scrutiny this season for the club’s dismal results in the Premier League. But the Australian has managed to respond to his critics in style and the North Londoners are now within touching distance of ending their 17-year-long trophy drought.
We play Manchester United in the final at San Mames, and having beaten them three times this season, Spurs fans and the players must be confident before they head to Bilbao later this month.
