While the last whistle went and players sprinted in all directions, not sure to go or what to do, Ange Postecoglou kept his cool, hugged his staff, walked over to shake Ruben Amorim's hand, then quietly member of the parties.
After all, he had all seen it coming. “I always win things in my second year,” he said after a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in September. It is a comment that hung about him during a terrible Premier League campaign, but the Europa League always offered hope.
He was adamant that Spurs could still do something special, even if the losses that were mounted in the penetrating levels in the context of the club record, and now they have that. It wasn't beautiful, but what does that matter? A 17 -year -old guard on silverware is over. A place in the Champions League is theirs.
It is a triumph built on pragmatism. Postecoglou's dedication to his way of playing borders the ridiculous earlier in his term of office. “It's just who we are, size,” he said after a 4-1 loss to Chelsea in which his game kept a high line, even with nine players.
But Postecoglou adapted to their Europa League campaign and navigated through the knockout phases with a dramatically different style. Less possession, more an emphasis on physicality. It helped them past Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt. In the end it also helped them past Manchester United.
During the break in Bilbao they had only had 37 percent of the possession. With full -time that number had fallen to 27 percent. The goal of Brennan Johnson was one of only three spor shots. But from the moment he scored it, they never looked like losing.
The goal only strengthened their determination. Soon every tackle, every tackle, was welcomed loudly by their fans. A Guglielmo Vicario-Vangst was roaring as if it were a goal shortly before half-time and Spurs took place in the same vein in the second half.
Of course, on this occasion, the approach of Postecoglou was partly due to the circumstances, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall, their three best players technically not available due to injury. But his reactions before the match were revealing.
“It is disappointing to lose boys, such as Madders, Lucas and Deki because they are very creative,” he said prior to the kick -off. “But I think we need current force tonight.”
This would never be a game for free-wheeling creativity. It was a struggle to be won. Postecoglou chose his team accordingly, including Richarlison on Heung-Min Son on the left, and Pape Sarr with Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma in midfield.
Manchester United looked like light in comparison. Bruno Fernandes, excellent during their run to the final, was excluded from the competition. Amad Diallo shone in the first half, but suffered the same fate in the second, with Destiny Udogie who restored his balance.
Postecoglou had spoken the importance of the collective above individuals before the game and clearly landed the message with his players, who had shown a united front in their comments to the press before the game and did the same on the field.
Their solidarity could be seen in how Richarlison and Johnson followed backwards. When Vicario won a cross early in the second half, it was striker Dominic Solanke who cleared the loose ball from his own six-year box.
Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero worked together to dominate their struggle with Rasmus Hojlund – if it even qualified as one, was the one -sidedness. Udogie's second half recovery was meanwhile due to Richarlison, who was so tired that he could hardly walk when he was replaced, an epic shift behind him.
Johnson, whose scrappy goal summarized the match, was diligent in the same way on the other flank, where Mason Mount and later Alejandro Garnacho could not get into the game. Postecoglou even received the same defensive dedication from the son, who continued where Richarlison had gone and effectively played as a second left back.
Postecoglou had chosen to rotate for the Premier League, in contrast to Amorim, who played slightly near his strongest side in recent competitions, and the approach has paid off. They went the distance. Manchester United hardly started.
Spurs fought both history and a Manchester United side with a strong record in the final. They hadn't even scored in their last three last performances, let alone won. But the players of Postecoglou looked through the past despite the past.
Instead, there was a steel -like focus on the task that was obvious. Spurs kept their shape and kept their heads and kept the game managed when they broke the flow of Manchester United in the second half.
Clear opportunities were little and far between for Amorim's side, their 16 shots worth a meager 0.85 expected goals, while Spurs defended their box diligently, time and again Manchester United in areas where they could not harm them.
The last whistle led to crazy parties of the players and fans of Tottenham. But the result felt inevitable at that moment. Perhaps it was inevitable to have postecoglou all the time.
Sky Sports to show 215 Live PL -Games
From next season, the Premier League coverage of Sky Sports will increase from 128 games to at least 215 games that are exclusively live.
And 80 percent of all Premier League matches broadcast on television will be on Sky Sports next season.