The atmosphere around North London is shifting from one of concern to a glimmer of hope as Tottenham Hotspur prepares for one of their most difficult challenges yet.
Heading into a massive European night against Atletico Madrid, the team is staring down a significant three-goal deficit after a bruising 5-2 defeat in the first leg.
However, the latest sights from the training ground suggest that the squad is finally beginning to heal at exactly the right moment.
For a team that has been stretched thin by a relentless schedule and an overflowing treatment room, seeing key faces back on the grass feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air.
The most surprising and welcome sight for fans was the return of Lucas Bergvall.
The young Swedish talent has been sidelined since the middle of January with a nasty ankle injury that many feared would keep him out until well into the spring.
Initial medical estimates suggested he wouldn’t even be considering a return until after the March international break. Seeing him out there, moving comfortably with his teammates during the open training session, provides a massive psychological lift.
While it remains to be seen if he has the match fitness to start such a high-intensity game, his presence alone gives the manager more options in a midfield that has looked tired in recent weeks.
Joining the reinforcements is Destiny Udogie, whose absence has been keenly felt on the left flank. Udogie has been out for over a month dealing with a stubborn hamstring issue.
His recovery is vital because his speed and ability to transition from defense to attack are central to how this team plays. Without him, the side has lacked that specific explosive energy on the wing.
Having him back in the mix allows the team to play with their natural width again, which will be essential if they hope to break down a stubborn and disciplined Spanish defense.
Perhaps most importantly for the defensive line, club captain Cristian Romero was spotted participating in training.
Romero’s leadership and aggressive defending are the heartbeat of the back four. He suffered a worrying head injury during the final moments of the first leg in Madrid, leading to fears that he might be forced into a long stint on the sidelines due to concussion protocols.
While his return to the grass is a fantastic sign, the club is being very careful. He still needs to pass several medical assessments to ensure he is fully recovered from that collision with Joao Palhinha.
If he gets the green light, his presence could be the difference-maker in keeping a clean sheet, which is a requirement if Spurs want any chance of a comeback.
While the news of returning players is mostly positive, there are still some reminders of the long road ahead for others.
Joao Palhinha, who also left the pitch early in the first leg, was not yet ready to join the main group. Instead, he was seen working away from the team on an individual program. He was joined by James Maddison, whose situation has been the biggest cloud over the club’s season.
Maddison has not played a single minute of competitive football this year after a devastating ACL injury during the pre-season. However, seeing him actually out on the grass, even if only for light individual drills, is a milestone moment.
It suggests that while he won’t be helping the team overturn this European deficit, there is a very real chance he could contribute to the final push of the domestic season.
There are still gaps in the squad that will worry the coaching staff. Conor Gallagher, the high-profile January arrival, was noticeably absent from the latest session.
He missed the recent draw against Liverpool due to illness, and it seems he hasn’t quite shaken it off yet. His energy in the middle of the park would have been perfect for a “nothing to lose” game like this, so his potential absence is a blow.
Furthermore, the list of long-term absentees remains daunting. Key players like Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, and Mohammed Kudus are still nowhere near a return, leaving the bench looking a bit thinner than anyone would like.
Despite the players still missing, the mood has clearly lifted.
Overturning a three-goal lead against a team as organized as Atletico Madrid is a mountain to climb, but football is built on these kinds of recovery stories.
With the captain potentially back to lead the defense and the youthful energy of Bergvall and Udogie available again, the task feels just a little bit more possible.
The fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will certainly be up for it, and now it seems the squad is finally getting the bodies back to match that intensity.
