Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has praised the reception that the home crowd gave his team during the first stage of the semi-final of the Europa League against Bodo/shines despite the “tough season” they have endured.
Tottenham raced in a lead of two goals thanks to the first half of Brennan Johnson and James Maddison's efforts, with the former score after just 38 seconds, before Dominic Solanke scored the penalty spot to make three.
The Postecoglou team seemed to cruise for victory until the efforts of Ulrik Saltnes Afriers in midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur to give the Norgwegian side a lifeline in the equestrian line for the second stage on 8 May.
Although the late goal decreased a certain degree of shine, Postecoglou praised the supporters for the “buzz” they created who wanted his team to over the line, only four days after a thunderous 5-1 defeat against Liverpool.
“I thought our supporters were excellent tonight, from the moment we walked away, and I think they added the energy to the team,” he said after the game.
“Even we who scored an early goal came from the fact that as soon as the boys walked away, there was a buzz in the stadium – and that is an honor for our fans.
“We clearly had a difficult season, but the European nights this year have still been quite special and they played their role tonight, a huge role in us that performing the way we had to.”
Spurs will now be instructed to keep their advantage intact when the two parties meet again in Norway on 8 May, although Postecoglou has insisted that the score does not reflect the true dominance that his team showed in the evening.
He added: “Of course they scored the goal, which I don't think thinks our dominance in the game, but if we repeat that performance next week, it's enough for us to get through.
“Yes, I think it put us in a good position. I thought the players were excellent today, I thought our performance was everything it had to be, really well organized and defensively disciplined and really calm in the future and created good opportunities for ourselves.
Tottenham goes to the Aspmyra Stadium, located just north of the Arctic Circle, next Thursday and it is an artificial pitch that will wait to add to the unfavorable circumstances with which they can be confronted in Bodo.
To the question of the surface that may play its role in how the draw was decided, Postecoglou added: “It is a football match.
“I've been there and played there. If we are organized as we were today, it doesn't matter what the surface is. We will be difficult to stop.”