“The BIG NEWS IS OUT”- Ange Postecoglou delivers Spurs team news update ahead of Qarabag
Tottenham Hotspur will temporarily shift their focus away from Premier League action as they gear up for their Europa League opener. On Thursday evening, Spurs are set to welcome Azerbaijani side Qarabag to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking the beginning of their European journey this season.
This fixture carries a special significance for Tottenham, as it represents their return to European competition after a prolonged absence. The last time Spurs played in Europe was back in March 2023, when a 0-0 draw against AC Milan saw them crash out of the Champions League due to a 1-0 aggregate defeat in the Round of 16. Under Antonio Conte’s leadership at the time, Tottenham were unable to overturn the first-leg loss, and their European campaign ended on a disappointing note.
Now, under new manager Ange Postecoglou, the North Londoners will be hoping for a fresh start in the Europa League. The Australian coach spoke to the media earlier today at the club’s Hotspur Way training facility, offering updates on his squad and their preparations for the game. Qarabag, who top the Azerbaijani Premier League and are coming off an emphatic 4-0 win over Neftçi, will pose a formidable challenge. However, Tottenham are expected to be ready for the contest, with Postecoglou expressing optimism about the state of his team.
During the press conference, Postecoglou provided key injury updates and outlined the players unavailable for Thursday’s clash. Center-back Cristian Romero will be missing due to a suspension stemming from his red card in the second leg against AC Milan last season. In addition, Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon are ineligible for the match. Reguilon, however, has been involved in training, but due to competition regulations, he won’t be available for selection. Both Richarlison and recent signing Wilson Odobert also remain out of action. Odobert is still recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained during Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Coventry City in the Carabao Cup.
Postecoglou told the official Spurs website: “We’re in good shape. Nobody picked up any injuries over the weekend, and everyone came through the game well. Apart from the obvious absences of Romero, Spence, and Reguilon, who trained but are ineligible, we have a full squad ready to go.”
While Postecoglou is known for taking things one match at a time, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Tottenham have a crucial Premier League fixture against Manchester United on the horizon. With that in mind, Postecoglou is expected to rotate his squad, making several changes to give key players some rest ahead of the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Radu Dragusin is likely to step in for the suspended Romero, filling the gap in central defense. Meanwhile, midfielders Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Pape Matar Sarr, who were all on the bench during Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Brentford, are expected to feature from the start against Qarabag. These young talents will have an opportunity to impress as Postecoglou looks to manage the workload of his squad during this busy period.
In addition to first-team changes, fans can expect to see some of the club’s academy prospects on the bench, as the Europa League rules require Tottenham to name 12 substitutes. This provides a valuable platform for the club’s emerging stars to gain experience and potentially make an impact on the European stage.
Ultimately, while Tottenham will be focused on overcoming Qarabag and getting their Europa League campaign off to a strong start, the challenge of balancing domestic and European competitions is one that Postecoglou will have to navigate carefully, especially with key fixtures like the one against Manchester United looming.