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Ange Postecoglou does not envisage his doubters being silenced despite Tottenham reaching the Europa League semi-finals with a 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty at Deutsche Bank Park was enough to secure a 2-1 aggregate triumph on Thursday.
The pressure has been mounting on Postecoglou amid a hugely disappointing domestic campaign and success in the Europa League might be pivotal to the Australian keeping his job.
Asked by TNT Sports if this win might quieten some of the external noise around his own future, Postecoglou said: “I doubt it.
“I said yesterday I’m the same coach today that I was yesterday and my pleasure just comes from watching this group of players rewarded.
“They’ve never lost belief, the staff and players never have.”
7 – Among Englishmen, only James Tavernier in 2021-22 (7 goals, 2 assists) and Bobby Zamora in 2009-10 (6 goals, 2 assists) have been involved in more goals in a single UEFA Europa League season than Dominic Solanke this season (3 goals, 4 assists). Talisman. pic.twitter.com/sjhqfgU5Ew
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 17, 2025
Spurs held on in the second half with Fares Chaibi and Rasmus Kristensen missing great chances for Eintracht.
But the victory means Tottenham ended a three-match away losing run in the knockout rounds of major European competition.
Moreover, among Englishmen only James Tavernier in 2021-22 (seven goals, two assists) and Bobby Zamora in 2009-10 (six goals, two assists) have been involved in more goals in a single Europa League season than Solanke this term (three goals, four assists).
Asked what impressed him most against Eintracht, Postecoglou added: “Just the togetherness of the lads, it’s fair to say there’s been a fair bit of noise around the team but you wouldn’t know it.
“They didn’t care, they’ve just been so focused on us achieving what we want to and I’m super proud of them.
“The travelling fans were brilliant tonight, hopefully they enjoy it, they deserve it. Our fans have been through a lot too and we understand their disappointment.
“But hopefully this just gives them something to look forward to.”
Tottenham now face Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals after a dramatic penalty-shoot-out win over Lazio.
The Serie A giants, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, levelled the tie at two-apiece with Tijjani Noslin scoring deep into injury time at Stadio Olimpico.
It looked as though the hosts were going through when Boulaye Dia put Lazio ahead but Andreas Helmersen restored parity once more then was sent off in the last minute of extra time, before the visitors went on to win on penalties 3-2.
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