Ange Postecoglou backed Tottenham to get the job done in Norway after they took a big step towards a place in the Europa League final with a 3-1 last-four first leg win over Bodo/Glimt.
Spurs’ domestic struggles had been well-documented, but a sea of white flags and a tifo with club motto ‘To Dare is to Do’ greeted the team for only its second semi-final in a European competition for 40 years.
It was a display befitting of a big occasion and Tottenham responded with a 38-second opener from Brennan Johnson before James Maddison made it 2-0 in the 34th minute.
“The atmosphere today was incredible, the best atmosphere of the season. Thank you for the support today.” 🙏
Pedro speaks post-match 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Kc2iIYUCHU
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 1, 2025
A third after 61 minutes from a Dominic Solanke spot-kick had home supporters singing about this month’s final in Bilbao, but Bodo reduced the deficit with seven minutes left through Ulrik Saltnes to set up an intriguing second-leg tie next Thursday.
Bodo boast an impressive home record at Aspmyra Stadion, where they play on an artificial surface, and yet Postecoglou knows what to expect after he experienced the ground with Celtic in 2022.
Asked about the victory, Postecoglou said: “I think it puts us in a good position. I thought the players were outstanding today.
“I thought our performance was everything it needed to be, really well organized and disciplined defensively and really calm going forward and created good opportunities for ourselves and maintaining pressure.
“When we''re all together as one – players, staff, fans – it feels so special. We knew from minute one that everyone was behind us.” 🤍
Dom on tonight 💬 pic.twitter.com/otYh6So7uS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 1, 2025
“Obviously they scored the goal late, which doesn’t I think reflect our dominance in the game, but if we repeat that performance next week, it’ll be enough for us to get through.
“I get that Bodo away is a difficult fixture, but so was (Eintracht) Frankfurt away and we went there knowing we had to win to get through and I thought the lads handled it really well.
“I think in Europe this year we’ve been really good at managing whatever situation we’re in. We’ve had some games where AZ (Alkmaar) we lost away from home, but had to come back and showed real calm and composure to win to get through here.
“I think all those experiences give me the belief we can go there and get the job done.”
A concern for Postecoglou will be the fitness of England duo Maddison and Solanke, who limped off with knee and quad injuries respectively in the second half.
He added: “Madders felt a tweak in his knee, but it doesn’t sound like it’s anything serious.
“Dom something similar in his quad. Both of them didn’t feel it was anything too significant, but thought it was wise just to take them off at that point.”
Saltnes’ late strike occurred after Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski and Mathys Tel had gone close for a fourth goal for Spurs and Bodo boss Kjetil Knutsen believes the final exchanges in north London could prove crucial.
“I think the goal is really important,” Knutsen reflected.
“First of all if you see when Tottenham conceded a goal, they were really disappointed, they lose energy and I think Bodo/Glimt gets a lot of energy because of the goal.
“I think we can take the energy from this game into the next game and then it’s total different for us to play at home.
“I think still we have an opportunity here. We are not the favourites but we will really go for it and fight for it.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker