How Postecoglou abandoned ‘Ange-ball’ to win Europa League

“It’s just who we are, mate; it’s who we are and who we’ll be for the duration of our relationship here.” We will have a go if we reduce our team to five men.

Despite having only nine players in the team, Ange Postecoglou’s decision to stay in his attacking principles came after a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in November 2023, which attracted a variety of responses.

Some people admired his stance, while others thought it was foolish to be more flexible.

In the end, Postecoglou continued to adhere to those principles, but he did so for the most significant game of his tenure with Spurs and the club’s recent history.

They won their first trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Wednesday’s Europa League final, and the team spent almost the entire second half defending.

What caused Ange Postecoglou to say that he doesn’t change his tactics? Michael Brown, a former Tottenham midfielder, was posed for BBC Radio 5 Live.

Tottenham can rightly laud this season as a triumph despite the club’s miserable domestic performance thanks to its success in the Europa League and passage to the Champions League next season.

With just one game left, they are currently in danger of relegation from the Premier League, where they have lost 21 of their 37 games.

Even after this Europa League victory, Postecoglou’s future is still uncertain due to that form.

Therefore, the Tottenham manager might have had a chance to win the match on Wednesday.

Spurs had already defeated Manchester United three times this year, which highlighted Postecoglou’s high-pressing and swashbuckling play. All three victories came in the first three, with eight goals and six conceded.

However, there were indications that he was preparing to play the Red Devils in their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt in a more pragmatic manner for this fourth game.

In a mediocre opening period, neither team were particularly inventive or creative, but Brennan Johnson’s close-range goal from the start provided the breakthrough.

Then it was all about defending what they had.

They only had 19.8% possession in the second half, with just one touch inside the opposition box, and no shots on or off target.

And Postecoglou traded in Johnson’s replacement for a defensive player in an uncharacteristic way.

Paul Robinson, the ex- Tottenham goalkeeper, said: “Total destruction, Tottenham, but a poor watch.” The game was ruined by them. That was the strategy.

It was not what Ange Postecoglou’s style of storytelling has us used to believe. A gritty, terrible, defensive, determined, and rugged performance was expected.

Tottenham certainly had to make some impressive solo efforts, as well as some impressive goals, such as the impressive clearance from Rasmus Hojlund by Micky van de Ven and the impressive save from Luke Shaw late on.

Spurs finished with 115 passes and three shots overall, with only 27.7% of the total, which is the lowest total any team has ever had on record for a major European final (since 2009-10).

Former Tottenham forward Gareth Bale responded to TNT Sports with the statement, “This demonstrated there is a plan B.”

If Ange Postecoglou matures and adds that kind of defensive side to his teams, he can still have great success, I suppose as a manager.

Robbie Savage, a former League One midfielder, stated on BBC Radio 5 Live: “He’s adapted, big Ange.”

So did Postecoglou completely abandon his football-related behavior?

No, as the man himself claimed, the Europa League necessitated a different approach to Premier League football.

“I’ve always believed that knockout football is different from your league football,” Postecoglou said.

When faced with that circumstance, it really depends on good organization, belief, having a good game plan, and then moments, if you can minimize the opportunities the opposition have by having a really strong foundation.

I always believed that if Manchester United won, they could essentially negate the majority of what they would throw at us.

Postecoglou’s long-term future at Spurs is uncertain, but he is determined to stay and “complete the job,” as he puts it.