Ange Postecoglou is insisting on his Tottenham stars to grab their chance in Alkmaar on Thursday evening and to ensure that a restless season can still have the best end.
With their domestic campaign in lower mid-table, face AZ in the first stage of their round of 16 draw as the favorites of the Bookmakers to go all the way in Bilbao.
And while Postecoglou welcomes three more members of his strongest XI by injuries, he is convinced that they have enough character to bloom in a competition in which the club has had historical effort to claim.
While Spurs reached the Champions League final in 2019, their record on Thursday evening is bad with only two quarter-final defeats in 11 performances this millennium to show.
“It is honest to say that the boys really understand that there is a great opportunity for us,” Postecoglou said after he confirmed that Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven and Dominic Solanke are all available.
“The boys who have played can now recover and train and prepare better for games.
“That coincided with seeing their teammates and certainly the boys who were injured, they returned with a real hunger and desire to help the team.
“They are all frustrated to sit on the sidelines and see how difficult it has been for the group of players who played. They just wanted to help and now they get that chance.
“Again, I think you feel that they appreciate in the group that they have some support and some help. There is a platform for us to hopefully play again with playing our football and seeing how far we can progress. “
However, it is not all positive on the front of the fitness. Star Man Dejan Kulusevski played this season in all their previous 42 games in all their previous 42 games, did not travel because of a foot injury and Postecoglou does not think he will be available again for the international break.
Romero, Van de Ven and Solanke will also start from the bank more often. “They all have been out for a considerable time, so we will see when we introduce them,” he added.
Spurs are confronted with a reunion with former striker Troy Parrott, who has achieved 16 goals for the Dutch side so far.
And asked for his thoughts about his old side as 13th in the Premier League table, the Dubliner said: “When I was there, the focus was always the top four and stood at the top of the table. I think I look like from the outside, it seems that there is a disappointment. “
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