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“Tottenham ruined it”- Paul Robinson lauds Spurs’ game plan in the Europa League final
Tottenham Hotspur produced a gritty display to beat Manchester United in the Europa League final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao
Tottenham Hotspur secured their first major trophy in 17 years on Wednesday night, with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final.
After what has been a forgettable season in the Premier League, Europa League success was a must for the North Londoners, and Ange Postecoglou delivered that. The 59-year-old was ridiculed and criticised majorly for his statement of “winning things in his second year in charge of clubs”, but he backed it up in Bilbao.
Everyone associated with Spurs knew how vital it was for the club to win the European competition, particularly after a Premier League season that has seen them taste 21 defeats in 37 games. The Lilywhites had to earn the right to win at the San Mames Stadium. After taking the lead via Brennan Johnson in the 42nd minute, Ange Postecoglou’s side adapted a pragmatic approach and dropped deep to defend.
Manchester United ran out of ideas to unlock the Spurs defence, which was rock-solid and organised throughout the 90 minutes. Not only the defenders and midfielders defended for their lives but also the forwards worked their socks off the ball and gave their everything to keep the 1-0 lead intact.
Ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson felt the quality of the Europa League final was poor. However, he did praise Ange Postecoglou’s side for sticking to their game plan and “spoiling the game” to clinch the title.
“It was a poor watch, it really was, an awful game, but Tottenham ruined it. They spoiled the game. That was the game plan,” Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 (h/t BBC Sport).
“When he brought on Danso and went to three centre halves five at the back. Even with a back four they couldn’t get away from their own goal line.
“The save from Vicario and the clearance from Van de Ven is all Tottenham offered in the second half. They got into United’s half once or twice at a push. It was not what we are used to seeing from Ange Postecoglou. It was a gritty, horrible, defensive, determined, rugged performance.”
Indeed, it was a spirited, all hands on the deck defensive display in the second half by the North Londoners. When Ange sensed United ramped up the pressure and poured men forward, he sacrificed a forward and brought in an extra defender in Danso to tighten the screws at the back.
Spurs were comfortable dropping deep and defending with nine men behind the ball, with Dominic Solanke the only counter-attacking outlet up top. Even when required, Solanke also dropped in defence and made life more difficult for the Red Devils.
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It was a gritty and nasty display from Ange’s men, demonstrating that they do have a different side to their usual free-flowing, pressing style of football. Such a display was the need of the hour to win the competition. Wonder why we never saw such committed and defensively organised displays from our team in the Premier League throughout this season.
