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.”
[(Angers SCO) Strength]: 1. Angers SCO performed underwhelmingly in Ligue 1 last season. They surely hope to secure a better ranking this season. Facing newly-promoted Paris FC, they are motivated to take all 3 points in this game.2. Angers SCO signed goalkeeper Herve Koffi from RC Lens and midfielder Louis Mouton from AS Saint-Etienne in the transfer window.3. Angers SCO received 4 wins, 1 draw, ...
[(FC Nantes) Strength]: 1. FC Nantes finished 13th last season, with a serious situation of avoiding relegation. They aim to keep their survival in the new season. Facing Paris Saint-Germain FC, earning points or even a victory would solidify their foundation for avoiding relegation. With decent home form, FC Nantes hope to capitalize on home advantage to boost morale and confidence, making them h...
[(Espanyol) Strength]: 1. Espanyol finished 14th with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses in last season's La Liga. They scored 40 goals and conceded 51 in 38 league games. In the offseason, the team signed new players to boost their lineup. They are strongly motivated in the first home game of the new season.2. Espanyol's young forward Roberto Fernandez has completed his permanent transfer to Espanyo...
[(Athletic Bilbao) Strength]: 1. To secure their first win this season, Athletic Bilbao are undoubtedly motivated in this game.2. On July 4, Athletic Bilbao officially announced Nico Williams' contract extension until 2035, with his release clause increasing by at least 50% to over 87 million euros.3. Athletic Bilbao won 13 of the last 20 home games across all competitions, showcasing outstanding ...
[(Manchester United F.C.) Strength]: 1. As it's the opening match of the new season, Manchester United F.C. are highly motivated to secure their first victory at Old Trafford.2. Manchester United F.C. have focused their summer rebuild on the attack, spending heavily on a new trio of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, which should improve their offensive output.3. Manchester United F....
[(Nottingham Forest) Strength]: 1. This game is the first home match of Nottingham Forest in the new season, so the team will surely hope to start with a win.2. Nottingham Forest finished 7th with 19 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses in the Premier League last season, once entering the top four.3. Nottingham Forest had a home record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses in last season's Premier League, rank...
[(Chelsea F.C.) Strength]: 1. This summer, Chelsea F.C.'s most significant reinforcements came in the attacking line. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro joined early, participated in the Club World Cup, and quickly integrated into the team, both scoring goals. Meanwhile, young talent Estevao Willian, before his transfer, scored a stunning goal for Palmeiras against Chelsea F.C. in the same tournament. The ...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. Gwangju FC's newly signed foreign forward Holmbert Fridjonsson made his K League 1 debut as a substitute in the last match and could be in line for a starting spot in this game.[(Gwangju FC) Weakness]: 1. Gwangju FC's foreign striker Jasir Asani is set to join Iranian club Esteghlal F.C. He missed the last league match due to an ankle injury and remains doubtful for thi...
[(Gimcheon Sangmu FC) Strength]: 1. Gimcheon Sangmu FC forward Park Sang Hyeok scored 8 goals in the league this season, becoming the most stable scoring point of the team.2. Gimcheon Sangmu FC drew 0-0 with Gangwon FC in the last league game on the road. They were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 league games, revealing stable form.3. Gimcheon Sangmu FC scored 8 goals in the last 5 ...
[(Fagiano Okayama) Strength]: 1. Fagiano Okayama midfielder Hiroto Iwabuchi scored a brace in the last league game, helping the team take all 3 points.2. Fagiano Okayama's top scorer Takaya Kimurab scored a goal in the last league game, ending a nearly three-month goal drought as he found the net for the first time in seven games.3. Fagiano Okayama won 3-0 over Gamba Osaka in the last league game ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 6 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 7 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 8 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 9 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger
- 10 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka