‘We’ll back ourselves against ANYONE!’ Postecoglou DEFIANT after Tottenham earn crucial Europa League victory | OneFootball

Ange Postecoglou says he will back his Tottenham side against ‘anyone’ once he has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Tottenham were without 14 players for their trip to Hoffenheim and ended the match with five teenagers on the pitch, as captain Heung-min Son inspired Spurs to a crucial victory.

With so many absentees, Postecoglou was once again forced to turn to youth and they battled valiantly to pull Spurs through to a huge win.

“It’s not easy to win in Europe away from home,” Postecoglou explained.

“Credit to the boys. They were outstanding first half. We looked tired in the second half but the boys hung on.

“We wanted to be more aggressive, that’s when Madders [Maddison] is at his best. We scored early and we put the pressure on them.

“You need to respond in the right manner. Madders was outstanding. These players are exhausted, they’re giving everything they can.

“I couldn’t speak highly enough of the players. Once we get our players back, we’ll back ourselves against anyone.

“The senior boys really stood up. Playing away in Europe with such a young team, you need the leaders to stand up and they did tonight.”

The victory has all-but assured Tottenham’s automatic qualification to the last 16, meaning they’ll avoid a two-legged playoff next month – to Postecoglou’s relief.

“I told the players to enjoy it, irrespective of the situation we are in,” he continued.

“It’s a great victory that gives us a good chance of finishing in the top eight spots.

“We’ve got a home game [next week] and we are in a great position. Finishing in the top eight gives us an extra week [off] which we desperately need to have.

“I firmly believe we’re in the right moment. My interaction with the people at the club is my focus. There’s loads of noise in the Premier League but it’s just noise.”