Ange Postecoglou has delivered the trophy that Tottenham Hotspur had long craved as his Spurs side beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the Europa League final but could this also be a turning point for his team? Adam Bate gives his verdict from Bilbao.
As Brennan Johnson swirled the Welsh flag, his smile brightened San Mames. Pedro Porro leaped on Ange Postecoglou without a shirt. In turn, the Tottenham manager gave Archie Gray a hug. Climbing over the hoardings was Kevin Danso. He rode on Richarlison’s back.
Like Guglielmo Vicario, Heung-Min Son collapsed to the ground, exhausted both mentally and physically. Dominic Solanke made an effort to rouse him. Those were the only ones who had participated. James Maddison led the audience. Dejan Kulusevski gestured with his crutches.
Son, a player who has sacrificed everything for the team and now has something to show for it, was still out there posing with the trophy ninety minutes after the last whistle. The glitter was gathered by Mathys Tel and Lucas Bergvall. Selfies were taken by Ben Davies.
Team spirit, according to the well-known remark ascribed to former Tottenham striker Steve Archibald, is a mirage that appears after a win. There is some illusion. A small triumph. A burden has been eased after 17 trophyless years, despite both successful and unsuccessful teams.
The old UEFA Cup is the biggest trophy in Europe, weighing 15 kg, and these two teams certainly brought baggage to the tournament. Spurs, 53 years after Alan Mullery became the first man to raise the thing, eventually prevailed in a crucial match.
What was so impressive about that was the manner of it – as incongruous as that may seem given that this was far from a classic final. Conventional wisdom had it that this team – this football club – lacked the belief to dig in. Adversity would be their enemy.
Instead, a side that has lost 21 Premier League games and conceded a dozen equalising goals were dogged in clinging to their clean sheet. This performance was anything but Spursy – something rather tellingly referenced by both Son and Vicario afterwards.
It was nearly cunning. For postponing a restart, Yves Bissouma received a booking. Time was delayed by Destiny Udogie. Vicario, which moves at a glacial pace already, was persuaded to slow down even more by Rodrigo Bentancur. Richarlison was a risk-taker. Harry Maguire was performed flawlessly by Cristian Romero.
All of which are not intended to be critical. It displayed an unexpected level of maturity. “It is just who we are, mate.” The intended purpose of the statement was to explain why Postecoglou stuck to a high defensive line against Chelsea last season despite being reduced to nine players.