Postecoglou determined: 'In my second season, I often win trophies'

Tottenham Hotspur took a decisive step toward ending their long trophy drought on Thursday evening, defeating FK Bodø/Glimt 3-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

In front of a lively home crowd in North London, Spurs produced one of their most complete performances of the season. Though the scoreline suggested a competitive encounter, the reality on the pitch was quite different: Tottenham dominated large stretches of the game, creating more chances, dictating the pace, and displaying a level of composure and confidence that has too often been absent during a turbulent domestic campaign.

The evening began in dream fashion for the home side. Just 39 seconds into the match, Spurs found the back of the net. It was a lightning-fast move that caught FK Bodø/Glimt completely off guard. Richarlison rose well to meet an early cross, directing a powerful header just past the goalmouth. Brennan Johnson, alert and positioned perfectly at the far post, reacted first and buried the ball from close range. “That early goal really set the tone,” manager Ange Postecoglou said afterward. “It gave us the momentum, and from there, we were in control.”

Tottenham continued to push forward, and although the Norwegian visitors showed some flashes of their attacking potential, they struggled to cope with Spurs’ intensity and structure. Richarlison and Kulusevski both threatened repeatedly, while Yves Bissouma anchored the midfield with authority. Spurs added a second goal before the break and extended their lead in the second half, showcasing the kind of attacking variety that had been lacking during their inconsistent league form. Bodø/Glimt managed to pull one back late in the match, taking advantage of a brief lapse in concentration, but by then, the damage had been done.

Postecoglou, whose future at the club has been the subject of growing speculation due to Spurs’ underwhelming domestic position currently 16th in the Premier League appeared calm and resolute after the final whistle. “The scoreline doesn’t fully reflect how much we dominated the game,” he said. “We could have had four or five goals easily. That said, I’m proud of the performance. We defended well, attacked with purpose, and didn’t allow ourselves to lose focus. I can’t ask more from the boys.”

In many ways, the result was a vindication of Postecoglou’s philosophy a commitment to proactive, possession-based football that had drawn both praise and criticism throughout the season. While the Premier League campaign has been a struggle, the European stage has offered a lifeline and perhaps now, a real opportunity for redemption.

The Australian coach, known for his success in his second seasons at previous clubs, addressed that narrative with a smile. “It’s true, in my second season I usually win something,” he said. “We’ve given ourselves a good chance. We still have to finish the job in Norway, and that won’t be easy. But we’ve taken a big step tonight.”

For Tottenham, the stakes are enormous. The club has not lifted a major trophy since 2008, when they won the League Cup under Juande Ramos. Since then, a series of near-misses most notably the Champions League final defeat in 2019 have only added to the frustration of a fanbase starved for silverware. A Europa League final in Bilbao would not only offer a shot at a long-awaited trophy but could also inject fresh belief into a club that has struggled to find stability.

Key players like Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, and James Maddison will be crucial in the second leg, where a hostile atmosphere in Norway awaits. FK Bodø/Glimt, who have built a reputation for being dangerous on home soil particularly in European competition will no doubt fight to overturn the deficit. But with a two-goal cushion and growing confidence, Spurs are now in control of their own destiny.

A place in the final is within reach. For Postecoglou, it would be a moment of validation. For the players, a reward for perseverance. And for the supporters, perhaps finally, an end to the long wait for glory.