I
knew Pochettino could do it – Fantastic
When
Pochettino took over, he and Daniel Levy talked about possibilities, and they
spoke of a five-year plan to get us into the Champions League (a top four
place). But instead of gradually moving closer and closer to that pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow, we hopped skipped and jumped through the Champions
league year by year until we reached that five-year deadline, but not with the final
year of Champions league placing, as that had already been achieved, but to the
final instead. Against all odds we had made it.
Right
at the beginning, I said that within Pochettino’s Spurs life-time we would make
that final. I saw things I hadn’t seen before in a manger. I also saw us rising
like a phoenix from Daniel Levy’s vision and the old stadium to new heights,
new goals and new trophies.
Yes,
this season we had a rocky start in our group stage, but we plodded away and
finally managed to finish second to take us to the next level. Travelling all
over Europe in our quest for that glorious portal that would take us to the
enchanted land of footballing gods.
Looking
around the outside of their stadium, before kick-off I imagined us in the final
in Madrid. I looked back at what we had achieved under Pochettino. Not always
smooth and this season had been rockier than previous outings, but we stood
proud, and yes, we were given a helping hand from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal
and United (in the league), but we sustained our top four spot (just), but most
importantly made inroads. This Sunday we play Everton, a much improved Everton
side since we thrashed them at their ground over Christmas (6-2). But it isn’t
over yet, if we lose by eight goals, or Arsenal win by eight goals or a
combination of the two we will be out of the top four. So it isn’t over –
completely – until the final whistle (Arsenal are away to Burnley).
The
road to Ajax/ Amsterdam was an up and down road, but as employees and fans, we
set foot wherever the club went. We saw beautiful sights, met friendly people
on the way and drunk as much as was possible, but always with faith in our
hearts and minds.
After
the group stages we faced and beat Dortmund (4-0 agg), that was quickly
followed by Manchester City, favourites to win that competition, but we beat
them in two pulsating matches (4-4, we went through on the away goal).
After
my walk around the outside of stadium, it was time to go back in and admire the
sight in the stadium. Ajax fans were waving their flags just before kick-off.
It created a magnificent impression; like waves on the seas giving that
quixotic hypnotic sensation.
As
I said, I was confident. Even when their first goal went in (second overall) I
was still optimistic that our name was on the Trophy. But when their third goal
went in we wobbled, but still self-assured (with fingers crossed). Then the
half-time whistle went, a time for reflection and planning.
Moura
was the inspiration, producing three clinical finishes in the second half, the
third and decisive goal coming when he picked the ball up from Dele Alli's
flick and shot across Onana. Moura became the only the fifth player to score a
Champions League semi-final hat-trick, and first since Cristiano Ronaldo in May
2017 for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid, but I am jumping the gun here.
We
had lost our three previous semi-finals, including an agonising penalty
shootout defeat by Chelsea in this season's Carabao Cup. Having moved into a
new £1bn stadium last month, these are going to be exciting times for us, as we
chase our first trophy in 11 years. With another top-four Premier League finish
all but sealed, we are one win away from being crowned champions of Europe.
This after we took only one point from our first three group stage games and
required late goals to beat PSV Eindhoven and Inter Milan, before an
85th-minute goal from Moura against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, took us through
to the knockout stage.
Boasting
a three-goal aggregate advantage at half-time, their fans were in party mood
before our amazing comeback. De Ligt's early header from a corner after Hugo
Lloris had denied Tadic was followed by Ziyech's clever finish and left us with
a mountain to climb. Little did we know what was to come, inspired by the
exceptional Moura, produced an epic turnaround.
In
the dying minutes Moura made the Ajax fans cry their eyes out. It was over for
them, but a new beginning for us.
Pochettino
could not contain his emotions at the final whistle and shed tears of joy as he
celebrated passionately with his players on the pitch. Pochettino, who marks
his fifth anniversary in charge of Spurs later this month, was on his knees
after a night that rivalled the jaw-dropping drama of Liverpool's incredible
semi-final victory over Barcelona on Tuesday. Harry Kane, who is still
recovering from an ankle injury, also joined his team-mates on the pitch at the
end after tour remarkable comeback.
We
celebrated throughout the night and into the next morning. We had done it, and
even though we had gone through the emotions and anguishes over the previous
months, we had finally achieved something none of our previous teams had
achieved.
At
the last game of the season there will be more celebrations, then a three-week
break before UEFA Champions League Final in Madrid. Until them saviour the
moment and think big, nothing is impossible.
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