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WATCH: Ange Postecoglou press conference ahead of Tottenham and Bodo/Glimt Europa League clash
Apr 30, 2025
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has opened up ahead of the first leg of his side's Europa League showdown with Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night.The competition represents a shot at redemption for the north London giants, who have endured a campaign to forget.It also gives Tottenham a big shot at winning their first trophy since 2008, back when Juande Ramos ruled the roost.
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0:00
Afternoon everybody, welcome to our Matchday Minus 1 press conference ahead of our Europa League semi-final first leg tomorrow
0:19
Translation is available via the headsets, Channel 1 for English, Channel 2 for Norwegian
0:24
Please use the microphone provided to ask a question. We have around 15 minutes, so we ask for the maximum two questions per person
0:29
to get through as many as we can in the time we have. Simon. Yeah, first of all, Team Yu's Youngmin Song
0:36
What likelihood that he'll feature tomorrow night? Yeah, no, he won't feature tomorrow night
0:40
He's still out training, but he's still separate from the group. So he's improving and, you know, hopefully we can get him back in sooner rather than later
0:51
Yeah, a really attack-minded team Bodo Glimt. you've had experience of playing them once before, twice before with Celtic
0:59
What are you expecting from them? Yeah, no, they've been pretty consistent the last few years
1:05
Obviously, the same manager and a sort of core group of players
1:09
but definitely a distinct style of football that they've stuck to and have had success with
1:14
They've been pretty consistent in, obviously, in the Norwegian League, but also in Europe
1:22
Every game they've played, irrespective of the opposition, They've played some really good quality opposition in Europe
1:28
They've always been really competitive. And I think that's just born from the fact that they're very stable
1:32
and have a clear sort of understanding of how they play their football. So it'll be a good challenge for us
1:38
New contract for Lucas Bergwahl this week. I mean, how much has he improved just in this season
1:42
And also, how important is it for the club to build the future of the club around players like that
1:47
Yeah, hugely so. I'm delighted for Lucas. I think it's a reward for his, like I said, his development this year
1:56
his performances and how well he's adapted. We've got to remember a lot of young guys who may become the Premier League
2:06
have a step in between, whether that's playing in another league, but he's sort of come straight from the Swedish League
2:15
really a year of senior football into Premier League. and yeah, his growth's been, it's a credit to him
2:22
He's worked really hard in his game. You know, at the beginnings, he was really struggling to cope
2:25
with a lot of the intensity and tempo, as you'd expect and we expected. You know, I guess, you know, a lot about football
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and life in general is opportunity and he had an opportunity this year
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because of the situation we were in and he grabbed it with both hands and then, you know, even now that we've literally got a full squad
2:46
to choose from, he's still being selected because he took the opportunity. And yeah, you're right
2:51
I think there's a core group of young players here that hopefully can build something from
2:56
This is very much if the club can get through the next two legs, but the club have been looking at trying to get
3:01
the Aston Villa game moved next month. We see foreign leagues often switch around fixtures
3:05
to help out teams in European competition. Is this something that the Premier League really has to help out on this occasion
3:11
Look, I haven't looked too deeply into it. I don't know what sort of precedence there is to it
3:17
Like I said, I know other leagues obviously do it, which you can't understand for European finals
3:22
But I'll leave that to the powers that be. I'll concentrate on trying to get us there first of all
3:30
Well done on the marathon, mate. The club have worked with the Tottenham fan group tomorrow
3:36
to put on a TIFO display and there'll be flags throughout the stadium as well
3:40
I know the fans haven't always felt aligned with the club at times this season, but how important is that kind of Tick Evernus for such a big night
3:46
Yeah, really important. And again, you know, whoever you guys have travelled throughout Europe with us
3:52
whether this year or other years, you see the impact that that has, you know, when you're playing opposition stadiums, when the supporter base, you know
4:00
really feels engaged with, you know, with the club and with the team
4:05
and, you know, with the occasion. And it's going to be hugely important for us tomorrow night
4:10
Our fans in Frankfurt were outstanding. And to be fair, in Europe this year, all the European games
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even the Frankfurt first home game I thought it was a fantastic atmosphere
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and yeah we're going to need it tomorrow night again it's a semi-final
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of European competition I'm sure our supporters are excited everyone in the club
4:31
is excited and you know we want to make sure we get the best chance
4:35
to perform at the best level so we can get through Hi Ange are you superstitious No no I used to be but not anymore I find it was kind of yeah kind of worked against everything else
4:50
I kind of believe in my life because, you know, I never used to change socks
4:56
And then I thought, geez, if it's just the socks, what am I doing? You know, what's the point of me being a coach if it's just socks that make a difference
5:02
No, I'm not, mate. Sorry. I ask because last time Tottenham won a European trophy
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Liverpool were champions, but the manager also left at the end of that season
5:12
Do you... Jeez. Is that giving encouragement or not encouragement? It's a hell of a way to frame that question, Matt
5:20
Look, I said before, and I get we're trying to run two parallel things here
5:27
of a really disappointing season in terms of the league. but I just don't think that we can do anything other than
5:40
really concentrate on an unbelievable opportunity we've got before us. I just think irrespective of what kind of season you have
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how often will you be in this position? History tells you not that often
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irrespective of how strong you are as a club, even the strongest clubs in terms of Europe
5:56
So any thought of what's going to happen next year or what's happened this year
6:00
I just don't think is really of any importance. And as I said last week, I think you ask any Tottenham supporter
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what's further most in their mind right now, what's going to happen next year
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or us hopefully trying to get to a final of Europe and the opportunity to win some silverware
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I think the answer would be just concentrate on them now, and that's what I'm doing. Tom
6:27
Hey Ange, that game against Bodo with Celtic was a few years ago
6:32
is there anything you can learn from those particular games and if so, what is it
6:36
Yeah, absolutely like I said, same manager, similar style of play when we played in the Celtic
6:43
our season had got off to a slow start but by that time we were playing some decent football
6:53
but I remember because, again, we had the first game at home a bit like us and their ability to play at a really good intensity
7:02
They weren't phased. The atmosphere at Celtic Park is unbelievable. They weren't phased by that
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They'd beaten Roma a couple of weeks before that. And it really strikes you that I don't think they're going to be daunted
7:19
by anything tomorrow that they face because they've been to Old Trafford
7:23
They've played at the Emirates, I think, a couple of years ago. So, you know, like I said, they've played some big clubs in Italy
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They've played some big clubs in other countries. And you see that they have this ability to not be faced by that
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And we've got to expect that tomorrow night. I don't expect them to be overrored by the occasion or, you know, sort of thinking
7:42
wow, I think, you know, they've got a real capacity to be really strong in their mind
7:48
about what they need to do. And the away game's tricky because, you know, you're playing in an artificial surface
7:54
in difficult conditions. So I think there are still some real parallels there
8:01
and having experienced that, I know that, you know, they're going to be a really tough opponent. And just throughout this season, when it's been difficult in the league
8:08
you've constantly said to the players, or you've said to the players, that they can still have a, you know
8:13
a fantastic finish and you're now, what, two ties away from a final. What's been your message to the players this week
8:20
You know, last week you talked about the stonecutters' creed. Any particular kind of angisms ahead of this one
8:25
No, no, it wasn't an angism. I'm still shocked that the whole room I was talking to had never heard of it before
8:32
But no, look, I think that still rings true. Like I said, I'm really strong at the moment on these parallel worlds we're trying to traverse
8:45
And I've sensed, which is not surprising because I've said that before
8:48
that the way this club's perceived that people are almost trying to diminish it in some respects
8:54
You know, I've heard people say, well, it's the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup
8:58
No, it ain't. I'm sorry. Not on any planet is it the equivalent. Others suggesting that maybe we're not worthy of, you know
9:06
Champions League. I mean, again, they're like things that are there designed
9:12
to diminish what's ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity, like you said irrespective of how this season gone we have generations of fans who you know want this more than anything else to share again with you know the people that they love a special moment supporting their
9:33
football club. So, this season could have gone a lot differently and we could be flying
9:39
in the league, but it wouldn't make this opportunity any different. The opportunity is the same
9:44
And, you know, I've made that clear to the players, you know, we're disappointed, obviously
9:48
with Sunday at Liverpool. We're nowhere near the level we needed to be
9:54
But again, that's something we need to deal with separately. What we have before us is a semi-final of a European competition
10:03
with an opportunity to get to a final, win a trophy and Champions League football
10:09
I just think for the players and everyone involved at the football club, it's a brilliant opportunity
10:14
Hi Ange how do you assess the players ability to really go through the gears
10:21
physically tomorrow night after managing minutes and rotating a bit in recent weeks
10:25
I think we're in good place from that point of view I think looking at
10:28
the outputs of the players I think we've got really good sort of
10:33
work into players who needed it, others we've had to manage because I think
10:39
with a season like ours where guys like Romero and Van de Vin and Destin
10:47
guys who've missed a lot of the season. It's not just about getting them back, but then you've got to manage how you bring them back
10:52
and when they play. They certainly, all of the guys we rested on the weekend
10:57
Benton Kaur, they all could have played Pedro on the weekend for sure, but it made sense for us
11:01
to give them a really good preparation. And the guys who played, you know, Dom played 60
11:07
Matt has played 45. I think they're in a good place physically, absolutely
11:12
We're going to need a big physical performance because, again, Bodo work really hard as a team
11:17
But similarly to the Frankfurt games, I think the guys are, from a physical standpoint
11:22
are in a good place to have a strong performance. And do you feel like, given the unique conditions
11:26
you're going to face in Norway next week, obviously no more away goals rule anymore
11:30
there's an incentive to try and give yourselves a good cushion in that first leg
11:35
I think you try and do that anyway. You know, I think, you know, playing home in Europe
11:40
for every club has its advantages and you want to try and take that advantage
11:44
And as you said, you know, Bodo away is a difficult challenge
11:49
But having said that, like, you know, we played really well against Frankfurt at home and we should have won by three or four
11:54
We ended up drawing. But the important thing was that we played really well and were dominant
11:58
I think that gave us confidence. And, you know, Frankfurt away wasn't an easy
12:02
their record's just as compelling as Bodo's. So I think tomorrow night what's really important is we put in
12:06
another dominant performance. Hopefully, if we create as many chances this time
12:10
they go in rather than sort of hitting crossbars and so forth. But I don't think you just go into tomorrow night
12:18
thinking you're going to kill off the tie then. I just don't think. I think semifinals, for the most part, tend to be pretty tight
12:24
and I expect that tomorrow night. For Bodeglimp, this is an adventure
12:29
They are a small club, but for you, you're a bigger club. The last chance to get something from this season
12:35
and how does that affect you mentally going into these games? Yeah, you'd love us to think that, that you're a small club
12:41
and we don't rate. No, no, that's not how I just said. I think Bodo's there on merit
12:47
They beat Lazio in the last... They beat Olympiacos, tough teams. They're there because they're a good football team
12:53
It doesn't matter where you come from. I come from the other side of the world, where football is the fourth sport
12:59
So I don't underestimate anything. You say we're a big club, they're a small club, doesn't matter
13:04
We're two clubs in the semi-final of a European competition and they've earned the right to be there
13:09
They've done very well to get there and we're going to treat them with the respect they deserve
13:14
and at the same time make sure that we go in there
13:19
and give our best performance. What do you see as the main reason that Bodeglemte has reached this stage
13:25
As I said, I think they've been a real stable club, same manager, and I think they've got a real clear identity in the way they play
13:32
and as I said, I think they've created a real kind of resilience
13:38
in the group, mental resilience, irrespective of who they play, whether that's in the Norwegian League or in Champions League qualifiers
13:47
or Europa or the conference, they treat every opponent the same and they play at the same level and I think that's why they've been
13:55
a dangerous opponent for any team. Hi, Eric, from TV2 Norway. So in addition to that you been to Bud It was during the winter It such a small town That a fact What does it tell you that the team from such a small place are playing in a semi in
14:12
the European? That's what I love about the game. That's the beauty of football. Irrespective
14:21
of where you come from or the size of the place you come from, if you're ambitious and
14:28
And if you have a clear plan and, you know, you can, you know
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especially in our sport, you know, you can create unique opportunities and, you know, create fantastic moments
14:41
So I think that's what we love about the game, you know
14:45
That's what we love about football. There's always been, you know, stories of whether it's clubs
14:53
from small areas or small countries doing well in major competitions. that's always existed
14:59
The Budiglim coach, Jettel Knudsen, what is your impression of his style of football
15:04
and him as a person? Yeah, good guy. Like I said, I obviously met him a few years back
15:10
and yeah, good guy and he's done really well with them. Like I said, he's had a real clear identity
15:16
about the way he wants his team to play. He's created a real strong culture at the club, I think
15:24
Not just from a football perspective, but from a mental perspective as well
15:29
And you see that. And yeah, he's done very well. And I look forward to seeing him tomorrow night
15:34
So we won't see a replay of the Mourinho clash when you meet Kjetil at the sideline tomorrow
15:41
I'm a bit different to Jose, yes. But look, I think that's the kind of results
15:53
they've had in the past. It means you have to respect them. You have to respect
15:57
This is not just a one-off. That was, what, four years ago
16:02
And every year they've done that to more than one club that supposedly are bigger
16:08
So this is not a unique... They've gone further, obviously, this year and they've earned it
16:14
Like I said, even to get to the knockout stage, Olympiacos are a tough team
16:20
I mean, they won the conference league last year. Lazio, we know, are a good side, so they're not there by accident
16:27
One thing is the results, but also the way they have played and done it
16:31
It must be something that warms your heart with your playing style. Yeah, absolutely. I love their approach
16:37
I love that they're not intimidated by oppositions. I love the fact that they take the game to whoever the opponent is
16:47
and I look forward to the challenge. Final question, please. Hi, Adrian Netovisni
16:52
In Norway, you might say no, but after facing those big clubs like Olympiakos last year
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are you by any chance surprised by getting that far? Because I know you won't mention the small club
17:03
and small resources, but it's from a city that small. Are you surprised going to the semifinal in the Europa League
17:09
No, like I said, I'm not. Because if this was the first year they got results like that
17:17
then you'd say, yeah, I'm a bit surprised. but I think they've been building towards that. Like every year they've made an impact in Europe
17:22
Maybe they haven't got as far as – but I think like anything else
17:26
it's only been in recent years that they've got into Europe. And I think in Europe, the more you're in there every year
17:35
the more you get the chance to grow. And I think they've grown every year. So I think it's not a surprise to me
17:42
And I think irrespective of how it goes this year, I expect them next year as well to have another impact
17:51
in whatever competition they be. They may get through the Champions League qualifiers next year
17:56
and get to the Champions League. That wouldn't surprise me either because I've just seen their growth
18:02
Last one. They're coming into this match with a lot of injuries. How do you think that will affect them
18:06
maybe especially missing Patrick Berg in the midfield? Yeah, look, obviously missing Patrick Berg is a loss for them
18:15
But again, I think it's always been more about what they do as a team
18:21
rather than the individuals. Because the other thing, over the last five years
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they've sold a lot of players as well. But the team's always remained consistent
18:29
I think irrespective of the line-up tomorrow, we expect them to play the same way and to be just as hard to beat
18:36
Thank you very much. Thanks. Thank you
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