Tottenham Hotspur supporters will forever cherish that unforgettable night in Bilbao against Manchester United, when the club finally lifted its first trophy since 2008.
Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal proved to be the difference, allowing manager Ange Postecoglou to finally claim the much-anticipated piece of silverware.
However, Spurs’ Europa League triumph was about far more than just those 90 minutes on the pitch, with several players still feeling the physical toll even now.
It was a momentous evening for the north London side in the Basque Country, but their journey could have ended much earlier if not for a narrow quarter-final victory over Frankfurt earlier in the tournament.
The first leg had finished 1-1, leaving Tottenham needing a strong performance in Germany. Midfielder James Maddison gave everything he had to ensure that his team advanced.
“I put my body on the line for the team and got clattered by the keeper,” Maddison recalled in an interview with FourFourTwo, speaking at PUMA’s new European flagship store on Oxford Street in London.
He described the crucial moment when he was brought down by goalkeeper Kaua, earning a penalty just before half-time. Dominic Solanke converted it – the only goal of the match – sending Spurs into the semi-finals. Maddison, however, could not continue after the break due to the heavy collision.
Reflecting on that game, Maddison said, “I think that was the reason why I did my knee actually, because after that it just wasn’t right. I had to come straight off in that game because I’d almost got concussion, basically.”
Still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in the following pre-season, he added, “We might not have gone on and won the Europa League but for that [penalty]. It was quite pivotal for me personally too – I kind of sacrificed myself, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Maddison returned for the semi-final against Bodo/Glimt and even found the net, but since then has only managed two brief pre-season appearances. Unfortunately, he missed the final against Manchester United through injury.
“Not being on the pitch in the final wasn’t strange,” he admitted. “Of course, you want to be involved, but I knew I’d played my part. I scored in the league phase, the round of 16, assisted in the quarters and scored in the semis, so I’d done my bit.
“I was more nervous, to be honest, watching it as a Tottenham fan. I felt every emotion. I actually thought I might sprint onto the pitch to celebrate with the lads at the final whistle, but I got really emotional and started crying like a baby.
“Then I had an amazing moment with Sonny [Son Heung-min] when I first saw him – those are memories that will stay with me forever.”
