Ange Postecoglou was amazed by what 'unbelievable' Tottenham star did against Eintracht Frankfurt

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was impressed by what one of his players did during Thursday night’s Europa League quarter final second leg win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Spurs progressed to the next round with a narrow win in Germany, with Dominic Solanke scoring the winner from the penalty spot.

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kauã Santos came sprinting out of his goal and flew into the chest of James Maddison, although with the ball briefly in shot, no penalty was given initially. A VAR review saw a spot-kick given, and Solanke dispatched it, allowing Tottenham to defend their narrow lead for dear life and ultimately book a semi-final spot against Bodo/Glimt.

After the game, Spurs boss Postecoglou provided an update on Maddison’s fitness and praised him for his bravery. “I think he’s fine,” he told Inside Spurs. “I was talking to him after, and he’ll gladly take that. So courageous. I thought the boy was lucky to stay on the pitch, to be honest. It could very easily have been a red card, but it looks like it’s nothing too serious. I’m sure whatever he’s feeling has been numbed by the joy of winning the game!”

In a separate update in the post-match press conference, Postecoglou added: “He is fine. He showed unbelievable courage in that moment to put his body on the line knowing full well that he was going to get a pretty severe knock and I was surprised it wasn’t a red card. Super courageous from him. He is sore but I’m sure that has all been numbed knowing that he has helped us progress to the semi.”

Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt stand between Tottenham and a final against either Athletic Club or Manchester United in Bilbao, and fans are starting to get excited. Asked about his side’s chances, Postecoglou added: “Look, we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We’re in the semi-final and will play a difficult opponent in the semi, but it’s not about my belief in the team. What’s more important is the belief the team has had because after a season like ours, it would be very easy for the players and staff, they could have left me in a pretty vulnerable place in terms of them splintering, but I’ve never felt that (even) with all the noise around our season.

“They’ve been so united in believing in what we’re trying to achieve here and that is what gave me heart all along that if we got our own slice of luck in terms of getting some players back that I really believed this team could achieve. That is what keeps driving me. It isn’t so much my belief in them, it’s their belief in what we’re doing and both players and staff have been outstanding. I am the front man for it but they take responsibility for it as well and all my decisions and everything I do, but not at any stage have I felt they lost any belief in me or what we’re doing. That is crucial when you’re having a difficult season, but there is also a season of opportunity there."

Postecoglou responds to criticism

Postecoglou remains under intense scrutiny, but he is sticking by his guns, adding: “I think I said yesterday, I am the same manager today that I was yesterday so if people think us winning tonight makes me a better manager or whoever thinks I wasn’t doing a good job yesterday, should be feeling the same way. I don’t care, it doesn’t bother me, it doesn’t affect what I do. For me, it’s always about the dressing room. Do the players believe? Do the staff believe?

“That’s much more important than what others may make of me. So, unfortunately for a lot of you, you’re going to have to put up with me for a little bit longer, so let’s see how that goes!"

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