AVB wants to win Europa League
Prepare yourself for a shock – Tottenham are entering a competition that they plan on winning. Who would have thought it? It is the Europa League as well, surely just an exercise in making sure the players get some sunshine during the English Premier League season?
OK, let me shake that sarcasm off for a second and explain. Basically, Andre Villas-Boas has said that he wants Tottenham to win the Europa League and rightly so. Having only just missed out on the Champions League, those Betting on football will agree that Spurs should be one of the strongest teams around.
It is a fantastic competition to win these days too. Since the name change from UEFA Cup, it has perhaps taken a few years to gain respect, but now it is a massive tournament with some high quality teams.
Atletico Madrid were the winners last year and they did it in style, playing some fantastic football on their way to glory, something Tottenham would love to replicate this year.
In terms of what Villas-Boas has actually had to say ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League opener against Lazio on Thursday – a game which looks excellent on paper – the former Chelsea boss said he wants his team to ‘do something special’.
The Portuguese manager said: “We want to do something special in this competition. This competition is very important.”
“It's a tough competition. You have to play 15 games before you reach the final, so it's hard and strenuous and the best teams out of the Champions League are playing.”
“It gives access to the European Super Cup and, for me, I always thought it was a prestigious competition and it should be promoted like that because after the Cup Winners' Cup disappeared, it is not only about the Champions League.”
“If we can win a trophy, that represents a lot for Tottenham Hotspur's history as well and would be something really special.”
Villas-Boas won the Europa League with Porto of course and it has propelled him to great things. Now he wants the same to happen for Tottenham.
Three points at home to Lazio on Thursday would certainly be a great way to set a marker down in this tournament, as well as build on the momentum gained from the valuable win at Reading last time out.
· Spurs Odyssey Lazio Preview (20.09.12)
