It seemed impossible after the two semi-final first legs, but Liverpool will indeed be taking on Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League Final tonight.
Both sides will be entering this coming off miraculous come-backs. Liverpool put four past Barcelona to get through and make a second consecutive final, while Spurs scored a last-minute winner against Ajax to advance to their first-ever Champions League Final.
The morale in both squads will be high as both sides will be looking to cap off their magical journeys in Madrid. One of Jürgen Klopp or Mauricio Pochettino will finally win a trophy with their current side in what promises to be an enthralling match.
I spoke to Jamie from @Daily_Hotspur to get his thoughts on the semi-finals, Spurs’ journey so far, the final in Madrid and more.
It’s safe to say that Liverpool vs Tottenham wasn’t a final many expected back in September. Can you take me through Tottenham’s Champions League journey from coming out a tough group to making it to the final via a last minute winner?
The theme of Tottenham Hotspur’s 2018-19 campaign has been coming back when all hope seems lost. To think that after three group stage games, having taken just one point, we would be playing in the final tells you everything. Late drama has certainly been another theme – of which there has been plenty.
All four goals in our remaining group stage games were scored in the 78th minute or later. Beating Inter Milan at Wembley gave us a huge lift, following our dismal start and to go to the Nou Camp and get the result we needed gave the team and supporters a sense that we could enjoy a good run this year.
Along with the late drama and coming back from the dead, proving everyone wrong has been another factor. In the knock-out stages, Spurs had to overcome the current league leaders from Germany, Borussia Dortmund, Premier League winners Manchester City, and Dutch champions Ajax. We were written off three times and three times we proved the doubters wrong to reach our first Champions League Final.
Beating City at home was a massive statement and a sign that we have the capacity to go toe-to-toe with any side. That final VAR moment in Manchester was one of the most incredible incidents of my Spurs-supporting lifetime; the emotions going from nothing to everything is something that will remain with me forever.
In Amsterdam, having watched Liverpool’s incredible feats vs Barcelona the night before, it seemed the case that Liverpool had already used up all of the footballing magic. At half-time, it seemed a case of sticking with the team and just getting the game and the pain out of the way.
But Mauricio Pochettino, as the White Hart Lane faithful sing, is ‘magic’ and conjured up the most incredible hat-trick through his number 27, Lucas Moura. Winning a game in the 96th-minute to reach your first Champions League Final is just as surreal as it sounds and the feeling of the ball crossing the line is hard to comprehend, even three weeks on.
At any point of during this season did you think Spurs would be at this point?
Beating Manchester City 1-0 was perhaps the moment we started to believe, but honestly reaching the final only ever crossed my mind until Moura’s winner vs Ajax. Circumstances at Spurs have been crazy this season, playing the majority of the season at Wembley, no summer signings, an insane number of injuries, not helped by the players’ involvement in the World Cup. To think after the close of the 2018 summer transfer window that we would be contesting this final – it’s just mind-blowing!
Liverpool vs Tottenham was the unlikeliest of finals after the semi-final first legs. What are your thoughts on both comebacks in the second leg?
My aim was to enjoy both ties as much as possible. After years of watching the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona produce historic moments at this stage of the competition – I wanted to enjoy both ties knowing they were affecting my club.
Of course, being biased I will say that Spurs’ comeback was the better of the two having seen us unable to score for nearly two hours of football and then our incredible 96th-minute winner.
However, as much as the country has been against the Reds this season, I was happy to see one of the best games of football in that 4-0 win at Anfield and made me so proud to have the chance to create our own history the following evening. I had totally written Liverpool off after the first leg.
How much of an accomplishment is this making the final for the club?
Reaching the Champions League Final is something I personally have never thought Spurs would do in my lifetime. It means everything to the supporters to be at this stage, but even more to go one better. Aforementioned, Pochettino and the players have had to overcome huge adversity this term to be playing in Madrid, and although we have enjoyed some fortune along the way, we are certainly here on merit.
Credit also has to go to our chairman Daniel Levy, who, since taking over in 2001, has dreamt and painstakingly executed our rise from mid-table mediocrity to European finalists.
Shifting focus to the league, after seemingly being 3rd best behind Manchester City and Liverpool for the majority of the season Spurs found themselves in a tight race to finish in the top four ending the campaign in 4th, just one point above 5th place Arsenal.
Spurs finished the Premier League season in horrendous form it’s fair to say. In the final 12 games, Tottenham won just three, drawing two and losing a staggering seven. What caused this massive dip in form?
Competing in the Champions League and for the top four with a paper-thin squad was always going to be a massive challenge. Kane, Son, Dele, Winks, Sissoko, Vertonghen, Rose – our key players have all suffered long injuries this season and along with our failure to add in the summer, competing on two-fronts almost proved a step too far. Although had Tottenham not been competing in Europe, I doubt our league form would have dipped in quite the dramatic fashion that it did.
Does this form concern you heading into the final?
Premier League football and Champions League football are two very different beasts and require different skill sets in order to negotiate. To finish 26 points behind City, but manage to eliminate them from the Champions League is a sign of the difference in form we have enjoyed in Europe to that we have domestically. Given our achievements this season in Europe and a fully-fit squad to select from, our form is not a worry for me.
A big talking point ahead of the match is the fitness of Harry Kane. The last game he played was the 9th of April. Do you think he’ll play in the final and if so will he be fully fit?
Having seen how Kane recovers in superhuman time and the effort he puts into getting himself back, in most other situations, I would worry – but with Kane, he’s the type to be ready to push himself to play the full game. Most pundits have said, “Pochettino will know best if he’s ready,” so stop debating and back the manager’s decision.
I believe Kane will start, he’s the best number 9 in the world and deserves to be starting on an occasion like this. The debate that Spurs are better without him is rubbish, he’s our talisman, we simply have the players in our squad who are capable of stepping up in his absence. My feeling is that Pochettino will ask him to ‘give me as long as you’ve got’ and for me, Kane will have enough to last the majority of the 90 minutes. But whether or not he starts, we have the players capable of covering for him.
This may be the biggest match in Tottenham history. What is the mood amongst the fan base heading into the final?
Belief. Having witnessed what we have this season, the supporters believe in the manager and the players. Millions and millions of times have Spurs supporters watched back Moura’s winner. But now, as much as it’s hard to not be in awe of being in the final, when a few years ago, even Champions League qualification was a huge achievement in itself, Pochettino and his players will not be satisfied with just reaching the final. The Argentine manager has always spoken of winning this competition and as much as it seemed crazy – it’s time to adopt his ambitious mentality in Madrid.
What is Spurs’ greatest strength and weakness?
Tottenham’s biggest strength is our attack. As much as this may be scoffed at, I believe Kane, Dele, Eriksen and Son constitute the best front-line in England. This combination has been available just four times since the start of the year – but when all four are on song, they have the capacity to win any battle.
The biggest issue for Spurs is our full-backs, Kieran Trippier particularly being an issue. Danny Rose looks to be getting back to his best finally after a long battle with injury, but on the other side, Trippier has been a bit of a nightmare. This is expected to be his final game for the club and will be a huge test against Liverpool’s attack.
Who has been the sides best players this season?
It still amazes me to say this, but Spurs’ key player this season has been Moussa Sissoko. Without him, also down to a lack of central midfielders but mainly his ability, it’s hard to see us having reached this stage without him. His transformation has been absolutely staggering. His ability to carry the ball up the pitch, with his combination of speed and strength has given Tottenham a huge boost this season and will be a player Jurgen Klopp will need to keep an eye on.
How do you rate this Liverpool side?
Amassing 97 Premier League points is a remarkable achievement and the way in which Klopp’s side has managed push one of the greatest Premier League’s teams ever all the way shows just how good Liverpool have been this season.
Having added the likes of Alisson Becker, Naby Keita and Fabinho over the summer, and Joel Matip’s improved form, weakness have been eliminated from this side. These improvements to the team have added a really nice balance and make it no wonder Klopp’s side have stepped it up a gear this season.
Which Liverpool player has impressed you the most this season?
The two formidable full-backs of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson has been an area of the team that has really impressed me.
The duo have clearly been sensational both offensively and defensively, offering the Reds an outlet not many teams in Europe have. Their combined total of 29 assists in all competitions speaks volumes of just how crucial they have been in getting Liverpool to the final.
How do you see Mauricio Pochettino lining up his side?
Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Winks, Sissoko; Son, Dele, Eriksen; Kane.
The biggest debate will be Kane or Moura – but either way Spurs fans must support and be confident with Pochettino’s decision. Both players have the ability to have a big impact on the game from the off and the other will provide a great option off the bench.
Having Winks back from injury will give Spurs another boost and he will be back alongside Sissoko in the middle, whom he has formed a solid partnership with.
The final will be contested between two attacking sides who play wonderful football. How do you see the game playing out?
Whatever the outcome, I’m delighted that either Jurgen Klopp or Mauricio Pochettino will finally claim their first piece of silverware in England. These are two of the most talented managers in the world and their achievements shouldn’t be looked down on because they are without a trophy.
The manager on the losing side is sure to come under scrutiny, but looking at the journey both coaches have taken their clubs on and the way they make their supporters feel – these men have done outstanding jobs respectively. Given the position both managers found their clubs in upon their arrivals – the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal will be looking on envious of how both clubs have flourished.
