Tottenham should have the edge in the race for a Champions League qualifying spot. Photo: Ian Walton/AP
Almost 20 years have passed. Not since Tottenham Hotspur had last played so many games, when the club narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League on the final day of the season, which became known as 'Lasangate'.
Tottenham played 40 games in this match. In the 2005/06 season, he only needed to equal Arsenal's score on the final day to qualify for the Champions League. But after the team was struck down by an illness that may or may not have been lasagna's fault, they lost to West Ham United and missed out on the game.
Fast forward 18 years and Spurs are in League qualifying battle champions with Aston Villa and Manchester United, with three teams fighting for fourth place, although fifth could also be enough. At least one of them will fail.
Villa may currently sit in fourth place, but Tottenham are seen by many as having an advantage, clearly summed up by the fact that Ange Postecoglou's side host Crystal Palace on Saturday after a fortnight's break before traveling to Villa. . three days after the Midlands side play away to Ajax in the last 16 of the European Conference League.
Tottenham lost Champions League qualifying while in the box on the final day of the 2005–06 season after some members of the team died from food poisoning. Photo: Hugo Philpott/EPA
While Villa will play a minimum of 52 matches this season, Tottenham, who have a game in hand in the league, are guaranteed to play just 41 matches, less than the entire top flight bar Sheffield United, who finish last same number. The fact that Spurs have failed to qualify for Europe and have made just three cup appearances this season has given Postecoglou's side the kind of preparation and run-in time that their rivals could only dream of, although a tough run of games lies ahead in April and May.
United, who started the season in the Champions League and are still in the FA Cup this season, will play at least 50 games, while Wolves, who will play 47 games if they reach cup final are the only team other than Spurs currently competing in the competition. from the top half of the table that finishes with a score of less than 50.
Postecoglou, however, insists that he would prefer his team to play more games as he has become accustomed to a busy schedule while he was in charge of the team. Celtic
“I think that as a club that wants to compete at the highest level with the best, we need a strong team, and to have a strong team you need consistent games, consistent playing time and opportunities,” said Tottenham head coach Postecoglou.
“At the moment, if we get an injury, we can add someone who hasn't played for four or five weeks. It's not easy for this player, but if you have games, you need to constantly perform a natural rotation, which also gives you a little rhythm.
“I’ve been at the other extreme, over 60 games for Celtic, but I’ve found that to be much easier to deal with than having fewer games or having the season disrupted like this year. I don't think there is an advantage or disadvantage, it depends on how you use that time. If you ask me, would I rather be in Europe? Absolutely, 1000 percent, I would rather be in Europe at this time and play games.»
Let's take out Spurs becoming champions of the League would be a great achievement for Ange Postecoglou. Photo: Shutterstock/Vince Mignott
Tottenham, Villa and United still have to play title contenders Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, with Postecoglou's side currently scheduled to face all three in consecutive games, as well she will still have to travel to London rivals West Ham United and Chelsea. Like United, seven of Spurs' remaining games are against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, compared to Villa's five, and all three teams still have six home games remaining.
Despite their relatively easy games. schedule, Tottenham have been plagued by injuries this season. The latest figures show Postecoglou's side have suffered 27 injuries, three more than Villa and one less than United. Richarlison is now out for three or four weeks but Tottenham's injury problems are easing, while Villa recently saw midfielder Boubacar Camara suffer a season-ending injury and United could be set to lose Luke Shaw for the remainder of the campaign.
Given that it may well be another 20 years or so before they play so few games again, Tottenham must seize their big chance of the Champions League — and avoid lasagna this way.
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