Every word Postecoglou said on why he did not start Maddison and why Spurs unable to beat City
The disappointment is there, particularly given the late concession after a hard-fought game. We fought hard to stay in the game, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Regarding Jurgen Klopp’s news today, it’s not the appropriate time for me to comment.
Guglielmo Vicario wanted a foul late on with the goal, but the referee and VAR decided otherwise, and we have to accept that decision.
The team appeared flat going forward, a combination of the quality of the opposition and our struggle to find momentum. Manchester City is a top team, and we’re aware that we’re not at their level yet. The first half was too passive, allowing them to establish a rhythm. The second half showed more conviction, but we were mainly working to stay in the game, which wasn’t sufficient.
Having more belief and conviction in ourselves in the first 45 minutes could have made a difference. City’s rhythm in the first half made it challenging to regain control. We showed belief in the second half and created some good moments, but ultimately, we were working hard to stay in the game.
Stopping what the opposition is doing mid-game is difficult, especially against a team with years of experience like City. It’s important to have perspective about the stage we’re at in building our team. It doesn’t happen overnight, and City also took time to reach their current level. While disappointed, it’s a challenge we face as we’re still in the early stages. Using this as a benchmark is crucial for our progress.
It was challenging tonight, as we usually start games well and build momentum. However, tonight we couldn’t establish that momentum early on, making it difficult to change mid-game. The second half saw improvement, but sustaining pressure requires a strong start, which we lacked today.
James Maddison not starting wasn’t a close decision. Considering the nature of the game and his recent return from injury, bringing him off the bench was deemed better for the team, ensuring he contributes effectively in the upcoming matches.
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