Ange Postecoglou has sworn not to take risks in the last match of Tottenham for the Europa League final and announced angry accusations that he threatens the integrity of the Premier League.
“I'm not sure what people are talking about when they are talking about the integrity of the game, I don't know what that means,” said the Spurs -Baas prior to the game of Friday evening in Aston Villa, who are one of those who compete for the top five and a place in the Champions League of next season.
'We certainly postponed teams this year that because of our injury situation was not the strongest, but we still had to play those games and it is the same with other clubs.
“If someone thinks we're going outside and not doing our best to win – that's the only time that integrity is questioned.”
Postecoglou remembered his collisions with Tottenham fans a year ago, when they celebrated the loss of Manchester City because it stopped Arsenal to win the title.
“Apparently I was wrong because I was trying to win a football match,” he said. “That is where integrity comes in. That's why I was so strong in it.
'If you place a line-up there, you try to win a football game, but at the same time every club has its own interests and you have to prioritize what is important for your club.
'Champions League is very important for all those clubs that are currently fighting for it, I can see how important it is and every game and every decision is crucial, but we are in exactly the same boat.
'We have Champions League qualification plus a trophy to win. It would be negligent if I didn't do the best for our football club to ensure that we achieve that. '
Spurs, who is confronted in the Europa League Final of Manchester United in Bilbao by Wednesday, has sustained the entire season and the last victim was dejan Kulusevski, for months after damaging a kneecap in a harmless congregation with Marc Guehi on Sunday.
Kulusevski has undergone surgery and his absence leaves Postecoglou in midfield creativity with James Maddison for three months with a knee injury and Lucas Bergvall not yet back from an ankle injury.
“We can't lose another player to an injury,” the Spurs boss added. 'It's just too nice in balance for us, given what's at stake. Villa is clearly going for Champions League football and you can see how important it is for them and we do the same. '