If Ange Postecoglou will deliver the first trophy of Tottenham on Wednesday for 17 years, he must beat Manchester United without two of his most creative players.
James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski would have been the plan of Postecoglou to bring Spurs to Europa League -Glory in Bilbao, but both have knee injuries.
The attacking midfield duo has delivered many of the best pieces in a terrible season; Maddison with his Swagger and an eye for a murderous pass, Kulusevski with his ruthless run and ride.
They are two of just three Spurs players to reach double digits for both goals and assists in all competitions this season, with 44 between them. The other is son Heung-Min and even he is doubt that the game has just returned from a foot injury.
Maddison and Kulusevski played an important role in each of the three victories of Spurs on United this season. Kulusevski scored in the 3-0 League victory at Old Trafford and added one to the 4-3 Carabao Cup quarterfinals Thriller, and Maddison took the only goal at home in February and dictated that match that the players of United dragged out.
Spurs played five games this season in the competition and Europe without both Kulusevsky and Maddison in the starting line-up. In the only two they won, Kulusevski came up during the break.
So how does Postecoglou win without them in Bilbao? This is where Spurs 'Full Backs' Pedro Porro and Djed Spence of Destiny Udogie-Pedro Porro and Djed will be crucial in operating the three-man defense of Ruben Amorim, as they were in the 1-0 victory of February.
In that game, only Center Ben Davies hit the ball more than full ridges porro and Spence, with the most touches of the couple deep in the united half.
On the right, Porro shoulder already much of the creative burden of Spurs all Kulusevski has created more opportunities for Spurs this season and the Spaniard has played almost 100 more steps in the penalty area in the competition than one of his teammates.
On the left, Udogie or Spence will crack in the channels, while the wing players remain high and wide to stretch United's Back Five and pin them back.
If Brennan Johnson on one side and son, Wilson Odobert or Mathys Tel on the other side of United's Wing Backs Wide can pull, they will open the space for porro and probably Udogie to isolate the center Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, hardly the fastest defenders in a foot race.
They did this in the victory of Spurs in February. Early in the second half, Son remained wide and pulled his husband and then played in Spence who left the space. He left Noussair Mazraoui for death before he drove the box to put on a chance.
This season, Tottenham has on average more goals, shots and expected goals (XG) per match against teams that play back three than against four men defenses. However, they also admit more of them.
That is where the absence of Maddison and Kulusevski, and instead a focus on attacks in broad areas, can help to become stronger in midfield.
Without the attacking couple, Postcoglou is expected to start with a trio from Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr. Bentancur has made more interceptions per match than any other midfielder who has played at least 900 competitions this period, and Sarr – who will also make smart late runs in the box – and Bissouma is excellent in winning the ball back.
Against a united midfield that will probably contain the aging legs of Casemiro, that trio will physically exceed and dominate in the number less than in number. They will also pay extra attention to Bruno Fernandes, the United player who is most able to turn this final upside down.
Maddison and Kulusevski would have made a difference in Bilbao, but Postecoglou still has enough weapons at his disposal. Spurs have divided three times this season – now they just have to do it again.