Postecoglou and Bentancur on Spurs looking for comeback against AZ Almaar
12/03/2025
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12/03/2025
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00:00Hi guys, welcome to our matchday-minus-one press conference ahead of tomorrow's second
00:16leg against Eids-et-Alkmaar. Translation is available via the headsets, channel one for
00:20English, channel two for Dutch. Use the microphone provided please. James.
00:25And you can start with squad news. Is it true that Kevin Danso picked up a knock? And what
00:30does that mean for your centre-backs? Could it be Romero, van der Ven? Are they ready
00:34for a start, et cetera?
00:36Right, okay, I think you've covered it all there. Yeah, Kevin, yeah, got a hamstring
00:43injury in the last game, so he's out. And Ben's back in, so that's the only sort of
00:52change from the weekend. Everyone else got through the game, no problems.
00:56And the second part, van der Ven and Romero, how ready to start? Do you feel that?
01:00Yeah, they got through the game well, obviously. Romero, no issues, and it was great to get
01:07Micky back out there and he felt good, so both available.
01:10This game is being billed as win or bust, both for Tottenham's season, but in some people's
01:14opinion also for you and your project here. How do you feel about it and how important
01:19is it?
01:21There aren't many professions in the world where you have to come in and answer questions
01:25like that, is there? There isn't, isn't there? Yeah, but I'm going to be polite and just
01:30say, look, we're focused on winning the game tomorrow night and need to put in a better
01:36performance than we did last Thursday. Obviously, that wasn't anywhere near the standard we
01:40want to play. Did some good things on the weekend, some not-so-good things, but we certainly
01:47feel like if we can play with the intensity and tempo we played on the weekend, we'll
01:53give ourselves a good chance to progress.
01:55Hi, Ansh, how are you?
01:57I'm good, mate. Hold on a second.
01:59That was funny, that was good.
02:01Thank you, mate. Let's keep our sense of humour.
02:05Absolutely. You've been famous to win this competition pretty much since it started.
02:09That plus, as you've always told me from day one, second season, you've always been a trophy.
02:16Any extra pressure?
02:18No, no extra pressure. I guess, as I said before, I think we obviously were disappointed
02:28with our performance in the first leg. I guess the important thing is we didn't sort of make
02:36the tie sort of impossible for us to get back into. It was still very tight. Obviously,
02:42they've got the goal advantage, but again, being at home, like I said, if we can play
02:48with the intensity and tempo we played on the weekend, then I think we have an opportunity
02:52to progress. Should we progress, then we'll obviously going to have another big challenge
02:56in the next round. But right now, the key focus is to put in a really strong performance
03:00at home tomorrow night, and then we'll go from there.
03:04Much has been made this season of the youth in your team, who have come to the fore, the
03:09likes of Bergvall and Gray. But how much tomorrow night are you relying on the experienced Romero
03:15at the back, right through the spine, Romero, Maddison, Son? Players like that have to really
03:19stand up and be counted for you, don't they?
03:21Yeah, I think so. But we haven't had them a lot. I'd include Vicario in that as well.
03:27I think Vic was enormous for us in the first leg. I thought he was big for us on the weekend
03:31as well. So, yeah, you want your sort of big, experienced players to perform in these kind
03:36of games, for sure. As you said, we've relied a lot on our younger players who have really
03:42progressed really well. But I guess a night like tomorrow night, having the likes of Romero,
03:50Maddison, Vicario and Sonny out there, there are four leaders. I don't think we've had
03:56them on the park at all together this year, or very little anyway. So having all four
04:02of them, the whole leadership group out there, I think will definitely be beneficial.
04:08Do you ever regret giving us that line about always winning in your second season? And
04:14has this season and everything that's happened to you done anything to change the way you
04:20approach things like that?
04:22No. Look, I think my view has always been when you ask the question, you answer it.
04:31I wasn't making anything up. I was asked a question. I answered that question. Now, people
04:37have sort of used it for their own purposes in suggesting I'm making a bold claim. But
04:45I wasn't. I was stating a fact. Now, if that doesn't happen this year, then I can't say
04:49that anymore. If I'm asked next year, can I? But what was I supposed to say? Well, yes,
04:55I always win in the second year. But, well, I have in the past, everywhere I've been.
05:00But here, it won't happen. Is that what people want us to hear? I don't have an issue with
05:06that. I mean, I think, like I said, people can twist these things and use them. And you
05:10know what? Maybe we defy all the odds and I do win something. You know what people will
05:14say? Oh, you know, wasn't it great that he made such a bold claim? And people just use
05:18it the way they want to, depending on the circumstances. I'll always answer things the
05:22way I feel comfortable in answering them. I'm really comfortable. I'm proud of the fact
05:28that I've been and won things. I think that's something that I wouldn't be sitting here
05:30if I didn't. Whether I win something in my second year here, time will tell.
05:40Can I just ask how bad Kevin's hamstring injury is?
05:42Yeah, hard to say at the moment. He felt it right at the end of the game. So, you know,
05:50we'll see. We've got the international break, which I think helps us. And Kevin himself,
05:55he looks after himself. He's a pretty good athlete, so we'll give him every chance to
05:59get back. But we'll just have to sort of let it settle down a bit before we kind of get
06:03some clarity around that. But he'll be pushing for sure.
06:07I saw you watching with Charleston across the pitches as you first came out. Where's
06:11he in his rehab journey?
06:13Again, I think probably post the international break again, I think he should be there or
06:17thereabouts, depending on sort of his progress. But yeah, it's good to see him back out on
06:24the grass. He's working hard to get back in. And yeah, hopefully post international break
06:28he'll be available.
06:30I just want to ask you about Pat Mathesi's obviously observing Ramadan at the moment.
06:34How impressive is it really that he's managing to put in performances like he did against
06:38Bournemouth, despite the fact he's not eating or drinking during the daylight hours?
06:42Yeah, look, I think it's a testament to him and all the other players who have that faith
06:50and those strong beliefs that they're able to kind of be able to do both.
06:56And yeah, look, I think Jed's observing it as well. So I think with all these things,
07:04you have to respect people's beliefs. And our role is again to try and support and sort
07:12of see what we can provide in terms of assistance to make sure that they can perform at the
07:19levels they want. And yeah, I think Pape, particularly his last sort of three, four
07:25weeks, is coming back to sort of the levels we sort of saw with him earlier in the year
07:31and last year. And he's important to us, particularly at the moment. Tomorrow night, obviously,
07:35Rodrigo's suspended. So yeah, we'll need his energy as we did on the weekend.
07:41You talked about the players having the wrong mindset in the first leg. Have you been able
07:45to put your finger on why that was the case?
07:47No, look, I think, as I said, I think there was some clear evidence there that we just
07:51didn't really play at the intensity that we usually do. And whether that was just,
07:59I don't know, could be a multitude of things. But obviously, we've analysed that, we've
08:05reviewed that. I said on the weekend, we had our struggles, but at the same time, I felt
08:11we were more like ourselves, particularly in the second half, in terms of just playing
08:16with a real strong intent in terms of with and without the ball. And so the level's there.
08:24It's not like it's disappeared. So we've just got to make sure we kind of get to that
08:28level again tomorrow night.
08:30And just in terms of the pressure, I mean, we can all agree it's obviously a higher
08:32pressure game tomorrow. How do you sort of frame that for the players? Do you want them
08:36just to walk towards that and embrace it? Or do you try and, I don't know, do you try
08:40and work in any way to...
08:43Yeah, look, I think, look, there's always pressure there. And yes, it's a big game.
08:49But if we're successful tomorrow night, it'll be the same the next round. I mean, that's
08:53when you're in sort of the later stages of European or any cup competition, you kind
08:59of know every game is sort of meaningful, because it either means the end of the road
09:03or you progress. So we understand that, need to embrace that. It's good that we're at home.
09:09You know, like I said, it'll be a good challenge for us. But yeah, I'm sure it's one we're up for.
09:15Ayaan, the sort of atmosphere was referenced on Sunday. I mean, we've seen in other cup
09:20games, I think Man City, Liverpool and the Cataraqui Cup, how much of a difference the
09:24fans can make. What sort of role have they got tomorrow?
09:28Yeah, big role. You know, again, we saw that at AZ, you know, and they obviously helped
09:38their team on the night. And, you know, we need our supporters to sort of get behind
09:42the team and create a really good atmosphere, like you said, like we did when we played
09:46Liverpool and Man City. Yeah, I think our fans know it's a big game and I'm sure they'll
09:52come there tomorrow night to try and support the lads and get us over the line.
09:56And obviously, you know, you're one goal down. How do you kind of approach it in terms of
10:02do you try and go hell for leather from the start or do you have to kind of be a bit mature
10:06and you've got maybe 120 minutes to get through this?
10:08Yeah, I think you just treat it as any other game. I think if you frame the scoreline into
10:13it, ultimately it's a game we have to win. If we win, it means we're in a positive goal
10:17difference. Now, whether that's enough to get through, but it's a game we have to win.
10:21We know that. So the beauty of our approach, I guess, is nothing really changes because
10:25we go out there and try and, you know, I know it sounds obvious, but we try and go out there
10:29and win every game and be really dominant in our football. And that's what we're going
10:33to do tomorrow night to get the result we want. So from our perspective, being a goal
10:36down doesn't really change anything. I think we'll just go out there with a normal mindset
10:40that we showed in the games we've done well this year and use that as a way forward.
10:47Hi, Ang. How's it going? I just wanted to ask you about a player, obviously, that has
10:51played here before and is back again, just Troy Parrott. What have you made of his season
10:55so far? Because Jose Mourinho spoke to him and said that he could see the progression
11:00just from your own point of view.
11:02Yeah, Troy's done really well. I think he did really well in Holland last year. I think
11:06it was a really good sort of loan move for him. And, you know, I think sometimes for
11:12players like Troy, you know, getting away from sort of the UK and, you know, seeing
11:18whether they can, in a different style of football, whether it suits them. And I think,
11:22you know, the Dutch league certainly has allowed him to develop further. And, yeah, he's doing
11:29really well, really pleased for him. And, yeah, hopefully we keep him quiet tomorrow
11:34night.
11:35Just on, he said he kind of went to a different style of playing, sort of as a number nine
11:40this season. What would you say are his best qualities?
11:43Yeah, look, I think he's, obviously, he's still a very good goal scorer. I mean, his
11:48goals, you know, as a striker, he's a good finisher. But apart from that, I think he's
11:52a good link-up player. He works hard for his team as well. And we saw that the other night,
11:58both with and without the ball, he's a hard worker. And I think, you know, it's good to
12:02see him develop in those areas.
12:04Thanks, best of luck.
12:19Hi, this game's being billed as win or bust, but how do you as players feel? And how are
12:24you dealing with the extra pressure that comes with this?
12:28We know exactly what will mean the game for tomorrow night. We are very conscious about
12:36that and we just want to win this game. And we know this is, in terms of pressure, we
12:43know it's about every Sunday and every Thursday since six months we are dealing with that.
12:49So, it's just about ourselves to get in the best mindset, in the best shape to face that
12:56tomorrow night. It will be a big clash and we are very ready to play this football game.
13:02Do you treat it like a cup final though, with so much at stake?
13:06We will treat that as a big game of football. Because we know, especially in this competition,
13:14when you have two legs to face, the game splits in two halves. So, maybe we lost the first
13:23half in the Netherlands and now we have a big opportunity to overturn this result in
13:29our favour for tomorrow.
13:35Your manager was asked how big a game it was for his season, but also for him being at
13:41a football club. When the players go out tomorrow night, the pressure is on them, not only for
13:46yourselves, but also for your manager?
13:48The pressure is on us because we play the football game. So, I think we have to deal
13:56with that. But, like I said, I think we are used to dealing with pressure day by day because
14:01we play every three days. We know the importance of the game tomorrow for everyone here, the
14:05football club, for us players, for the fans especially. But I think with all the support
14:12we are going to have tomorrow in the stadium, it will be an exciting night. We are ready
14:19for that and we are looking forward to playing tomorrow.
14:22The supporters will be key, won't they? Because I think they felt this season has been a little
14:27bit underwhelming. Maybe Spurs haven't performed as well as they should for whatever reason.
14:33How much do you appeal to the supporters to really get behind you tomorrow, just to stick
14:38with the team come what may?
14:40Yes, of course they will do it, they will deliver. Then it is on us what we can show
14:46tomorrow. We know exactly what we are going to face. We are going to face a good side
14:54and they showed at their place. So, I think tomorrow the best version of Spurs for tomorrow
15:01night is just togetherness from us on the pitch and the fans on the stands. So, I think
15:08with this mindset, with this mentality, we can go through this round.
15:13Hi Vic, Ange described yourself, Christian Romero, James Maddison and Son as the leaders
15:19of this team. Do you four have extra responsibility tomorrow to guide this young team through
15:25the game?
15:26No, we have everyday responsibility on this group. We try to do our best and we try to
15:35give good advice to the youngsters, but it is about the collective responsibility tomorrow.
15:41Of course, we know the importance of the game is massive and we are going to do this test
15:51all together as a family. Like I said, it is so important and everyone has to focus
15:57on their game. It is so important and as a collective we will go through every situation
16:05during the game and we will try, like I said, to win this game.
16:10Can you give us an example or some colour on what that everyday responsibility looks
16:15like? Is it just talking to the younger players? Is it leading by example? What does it look
16:19like day to day?
16:20I think more than talks, the thing that I am most effective at is how you behave, how
16:34you show your behaviour to the youngsters, but maybe they are coming into a new team
16:41and so I think the responsibility is in action, not just in talks. Sometimes you need to talk
16:47about something, about the reminding, but I think we have the managers that every day
16:55put in us the good words to explain which is the right way to play football and the
17:04right way to behave for this football club. I think the most important thing is how you
17:10act, how you behave into the dressing room and what you show on the pitch and also maybe
17:17the normal stuff we do in the gym, trying to be very professional, very committed to
17:22this football club.
17:24I watched the documentary that the club did on your recovery from your injury. It was
17:30very good. What did you feel you learned about yourself during that period?
17:34It has been a different perspective of my life. I have never faced before a massive
17:43injury like I had, so I had to see things in a different perspective of course and trying
17:50to stay strong, especially mentally when my teammates were able to play and I couldn't.
17:56It has been a different challenge, a different chapter of my life, but I can say I have learnt
18:02a lot because in terms of how I had to deal with this kind of stuff, it has helped me
18:09a lot. I am very proud now to be back. It is part of the past, but it has been a good
18:15process, especially for my mind.
18:18While you were out, the club brought in a new goalkeeper, Tony Kinski. Brandon Austin
18:22made his debut as well. What have you made of what they did during that time and the
18:26competition for the future for the three of you?
18:28The competition is just about football every day and trying to push your limits. I think
18:35it is an important thing to challenge yourself and to try to not sit down and say, OK, I
18:41am safe, but it is just about trying to reach your best. It is what we did. Also, if you
18:48want to play high-level football, competition is needed in every position, in every football
18:55club of the world, so it is very important. These guys, when they play, they play very
19:01well. They try to help the team in a proper way, so I am very happy for them. That is
19:08it.
19:10You said the other day that for this game, as opposed to the first leg, you were ready
19:15to show the real Spurs. What does that mean, given how inconsistent Tottenham have been
19:20this season? We have seen so many different types of performances. What is the real Spurs?
19:25Tonight, the real Spurs will be judged just about winning, because if we don't win tomorrow,
19:33we are out of the competition and we know it will be tough for us. We have to embrace
19:40this. We know this. The good Spurs from tomorrow will be just the winning Spurs, to be fair.
19:47Like I said, to win the game of football tomorrow, we need our best performance in terms of how
19:54we approach the game, how we are very tuned in the game. Then, of course, we have to show
20:01our best qualities in terms of playing the game, like playing the football, and put pressure
20:07on them, of course, because we play at our place and we know we have to do that tomorrow.
20:12You said earlier that you have a manager who plays the right type of football. Does that
20:17speak to the belief within the dressing room about his approach and his way of playing?
20:22Is he 100 per cent behind the manager?
20:25Yes, I can say his approach has been very committed since day one he jumped here. He
20:33delivered to us the same way to play the game, because he truly believes in this and we can
20:45be successful in this way. We are fully behind him, fully trying to do the right things that
20:53he believes are working for us. We are very, very committed to do that and we proved that
21:00when we are 100 per cent here in the brain and very, very committed to that. I think
21:08we proved and we showed what we can do.
21:10Hi Vic, you have had so many injuries in the defence this season. How do you cope when
21:16the centre-backs, the full-backs you are playing with seem to change every week?
21:21I think injuries are part of football, so you have to deal with that. I think in this
21:30team, whichever player tries to put the right word, the right mentality in the way we play,
21:42it doesn't matter because all the lads are very, very committed and they try to do their
21:47things at 100 per cent. Of course, we don't want to lose players for injuries, but it's
21:53about life, our set-backs, it's about football, so whichever player I'm happy to play with.
21:58Vic, we've talked for weeks about injuries and it always feels like there's an excuse
22:03for the results, performances, and it's understandable. But now, with most of the players back,
22:10do you feel that it is really time for the real Spurs to show themselves and almost like
22:15there aren't any excuses anymore?
22:17I think around this football club, we spoke very, very, very few times about injuries.
22:27We didn't take excuses, but the fact is we've been through three months very, very tough
22:35and also the manager never complained about that and the players at all. We say this
22:42every day among each other that we never thought about injuries, creases, injury problems.
22:51We try to do our best, of course, by playing every three days, games of football. Sometimes
22:57you can lose something, you can lose points, you can lose games of football and it's about
23:04how then you deal with the set-backs and I think we try to deal in the best ways possible
23:11Now, of course, we have a lot of lads coming back and we know our responsibilities,
23:18especially, of course, like the senior players that they can bring into the game
23:23and tomorrow is another opportunity to show.
23:26We'll go with Mike and then finish with Tom.
23:28Vic, there's been a lot of talk about the manager always wins a trophy in his second
23:33season, wherever he's worked before, but isn't the bigger picture and the bigger challenge
23:38for you as players that Tottenham haven't won a trophy for 17 years and it's time you
23:44put a stop to that record, isn't it?
23:47Yeah, of course we'll try. We have a big opportunity in the Europa League, but
23:53of course we'll start from tomorrow. Trying to get through the game of tomorrow will be
23:58a tough one, we know, and then we'll see. Of course we'll try to win every game of football
24:04and then we'll see at the end of the season what we can achieve.
24:08Vic, on Sunday it felt like there was a lot of tension, a lot of nervousness in the team,
24:12lots of mistakes at the back. How hard is it to rediscover that confidence,
24:17to get it back with a win in a big game like this?
24:20Yeah, I think on Sunday we faced a team that was very, very committed in pressure
24:25and I think it's the best team in about pressure the opposition behind us,
24:34so it has been a very good challenge for us. You can make some mistakes like we had,
24:39but now at the end the results say it's a 2-2, it's a draw,
24:44and maybe it's not what we were expecting from that game.
24:48But also going 2-0 down after 66 minutes and then going back to 2-2 shows the real belief
24:55this football club has about ourselves, about the player, about the manager
25:01and the mentality we want to go through.
25:04So, yeah, I can say mistakes are part of football
25:08and maybe we put someone on the game on Sunday,
25:12but at the end we show we really take care,
25:15we really have this belief for this shirt we wear every day,
25:22so it's an important way for me to start again from tomorrow's game.
25:27Thank you, everyone.