Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham's run to UEFA Europa League quarter-finals is 'significant' - 'The joy of the struggle'

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Ange Postecoglou believes Spurs deserve some credit for their run to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. They will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight, with a tough Premier League season the unwelcome backdrop. As players return to fitness after an injury crisis, Postecoglou says the run in Europe is a platform to build on as they look to secure continental football for next season.

Spurs in 'best place' since autumn after injury crisis, says Postecoglou

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Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham reaching the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals is a "significant" achievement.

The North London club face Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their last-eight tie on Thursday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Continental football has provided a welcome relief this year, given Spurs' troubles domestically.

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They sit in 14th place in the Premier League after a 3-1 win over struggling Southampton last time out, with their position in the table leading some supporters to question Postecoglou's position.

But the Australian says their run to the last eight of the Europa League is in itself noteworthy - even if others disagree.

"Not according to most, if you read the current commentary of things," he joked in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports.

"I think it's significant. I think the lads have worked hard. We've had a tough European campaign, very similar to our league, where it's very disrupted and we're relying a lot on some young players.

"But we've got to the final eight, which I think is something that we've earned. There's a platform there.

"You want more of that. You're in the final eight, you sense there's an opportunity to make a bigger impact. So that's where the focus is."

Winning the Europa League is likely to be Spurs' only route back into Europe for next season, given their position in the table.

They have been victorious in three previous continental competitions, lifting two UEFA Cups in 1972 and 1984, as well as the Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

Highlights: Spurs overturn first leg deficit to seal quarter-final place

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This is the first time they have reached a European quarter-final since 2019, when they finished as runners-up in the UEFA Champions League after losing to Liverpool.

So with more history in sight, Postecoglou says there is a buoyant mood in the camp.

"With the playing group and the staff, I think everyone's genuinely excited, as they should be," he continued. "European football always has a different sort of dynamic to it to the league, particularly at home.

"Now we're into the deeper end of the competition, I think all the players, I sense, are really excited by it.

"That's great, because I think the one thing you don't want to do is let this opportunity pass you by.

"Because if it's been such a struggle this year, you could somehow think this is part of the struggle... well this is part of the joy of the struggle."

Ange or Amorim: Who needs Europa League glory more?

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Tottenham's run in the Europa League comes despite an injury crisis that has blighted their season.

There have been times when Postecoglou has not had more than one senior centre-back to call upon due to fitness issues.

Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies are among the players to spend prolonged periods of time on the sidelines.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, with Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso the only confirmed absentees.

"I think we're in the best place we've been in since probably September or October," Postecolgou continued.

"It's not just about the players we have available, but our training's been different, where the lads are from a physical standpoint - not just that they're healthy, but the games they've had.

"I think that's as good a position as we've been since probably the early part of the year.

"That's important, because it means we prepare better for games, because our training's better and what we produce on gameday has a better foundation, not just with the players we start, but with the ability to make changes and help the team in crucial times in the game."

'Not as big a deal as people make it' - Johnson on social media use

One man who could play a leading role for Spurs against Frankfurt is Brennan Johnson.

The Wales international has become everymore integral to Tottenham since joining from Nottingham Forest nearly two years ago.

He has scored three times in eight Europa League appearances this season, alongside 11 strikes in 28 Premier League fixtures.

Seven of those came in consecutive appearances in the autumn, shortly after the forward had taken a step back from using social media.

He is back on Instagram now and told TNT Sports: 'For me, it's not as big a deal as people make it. I do it quite often, in terms of not going on social media.

"It's more just a fact of not seeing things you don't want to see, it's the time you spend on it scrolling - I can do that for too long sometimes.

"It's nice just to come off, refresh, spend some time thinking about other things.

"It was quite a coincidence that I did go on the run after, so people are probably thinking there's a lot in to it. It's just a decision I made."

Johnson insists 'refreshing' break from social media not a 'big deal'

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Johnson does admit he gets tired of reading some of the negativity that is posted on social media though.

"Whether you like it or not, being a professional footballer, people aren't always going to be happy about how you play," he continued.

"They're going to say things because it is a platform where people can pretty much say whatever they want and tell you about yourself. It's just something people do get used to.

"I'm not the only one who takes this abuse or gets any abuse. It's every team, whenever things aren't going well.

"Fans have a right to not be happy about games. When you do take the opportunity to just come off it for a little bit, it's only to clear your mind of all the stuff that goes on on social media."

Stream the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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