Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has defended the club following comments made by former goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in his new book regarding the Champions League final in 2019.
Lloris, who made 447 appearances for Spurs between 2012 and 2024, suggested his former club were happy to be second best, claiming chairman Daniel Levy gifted the players watches with ‘Champions League finalists’ engraved on them before they faced Liverpool five years ago.
They went on to lose the final in Madrid 2-0. However, Postecoglou, who has questioned the club’s mentality himself, insists the period Lloris referred to should be looked back upon with pride.
"There could have been a very successful period for the club. They came very close. We're talking about finishing runners-up in the Premier League, runners-up in the Champions League,” Postecoglou said.
“It could have been a very different era and maybe, in retrospect, you would be looking at those things. It's easier to focus on the negatives when the outcomes are not what you want, but there was obviously a lot right at the time which got them close to the ultimate.
“From my perspective, you don't put a limit on what you can achieve because if you do, potentially you might miss something that comes along your way."
Spurs are aiming to avenge their midweek defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League against strugglers Ipswich Town, who, along with Wolves, are yet to win in the Premier League this term.
But despite the Tractor Boys’ form, Postecoglou is expecting a difficult test, lauding Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna for the “unbelievable” job he has done at Portman Road.
"Yeah, I think every weekend, every league game, has its potential to hurt you if you're not at your best. Ipswich will be no different,” Postecoglou said.
"They got close last week, close the week before. I think Kieran McKenna has done an unbelievable job. We're expecting a tough one at the weekend, our form at home has been pretty strong."
While Ipswich remain winless upon their return to the top-flight, McKenna believes there have been signs of progress at the club.
"I don't think you can always set an exact expectation or definition of performances because every game is different. One of our first goals is to be competitive in every match, and we're not too far away from that,” McKenna said.
“Across the 10 games we have certainly been in the large majority of games. We would have liked to have won a couple by now but, also, we've only lost five out of 10 with what we have been through and the challenges we have faced over the early part of the season.
"To pick up five results - certainly could have been one or two more - and to be as competitive as we have been, I think there are a lot of positives in there. We know there is another step to take to win games consistently in the Premier League.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tottenham – Dominic Solanke
After scoring three goals in his last two games for Spurs across all competitions, Solanke will be hoping to get his season up and running against Ipswich this weekend.
But his work rate at the top end of the pitch has gone under the radar this term. He has applied more pressures in the final third than any other player in the Premier League this season (212).
Ipswich – Leif Davis
Davis has been a bright spark in a disappointing season for Ipswich thus far, creating more chances than any other defender in the Premier League so far this campaign (25).
But he has not neglected his defensive responsibilities either. Only Sam Morsy (17) has won more tackles than Davis (12) for the Tractor Boys in the top-flight.
MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN
Despite being heavily favoured by Opta’s data-led simulations, Tottenham have won just three of their 10 Premier League games against Ipswich (D3 L4). Excluding ever-present sides, it’s their lowest win rate against any opponent they’ve faced 10 or more times in the competition.
And Spurs have also struggled after competing in the Europa League in midweek. They have lost their last two Premier League games at the weekend immediately following a European match, losing to Brighton and Crystal Palace. Only twice have they lost three consecutive such matches, doing so from December 2012 to March 2013 and from September to October 2019.
They have also conceded the first goal in each of their last four top-flight home games but have come back to win the last three. No team has ever conceded first but gone on to win four consecutive home games in the competition before.
However, Spurs have won 32 of their last 36 Premier League home games against promoted sides (D2 L2) and haven’t failed to score in any of their last 42 such games since a 1-0 loss to Wolves in December 2009.
Ipswich remain winless in their 10 Premier League games this season (D5 L5), their longest run without a win from the start of a top-flight season. They have lost their last two away games 4-1 at West Ham and 4-3 at Brentford, last conceding four or more goals in three consecutive away league games in March 1964.
The Tractor Boys have also struggled in recent visits to the capital. They have lost their last five Premier League away games against London sides, conceding at least two goals each time (16 in total). However, 33% of their Premier League wins in London have come against Spurs (2/6), including their last such victory in December 2001.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Tottenham – 71.2%
Draw – 16.2%
Kicking off a new partnership: CB Foods becomes official protein sponsor of PFJL
CB Foods has entered the football arena, kicking off a new three-year league partnership and becoming the Official Protein Sponsor of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), the managers of the Jamaica Premier League.
This partnership was sealed on Thursday, December 5th at the offices of the CB Group.
Janet Sylvester, Divisional Manager of CB Foods Ltd, expressed her company’s enthusiasm about the collaboration.
“We are thrilled to be part of nation-building. As a company with over 40 years in the industry, we have contributed to various sectors, including agriculture, entertainment, food and beverage, and we are now entering the sports arena. CB Foods aims to combine all our efforts to strengthen the Jamaica Premier League, focusing on youth development and supporting clubs and small businesses,” she disclosed.
“At CB Group, we practice a culture of sustainability. Our purpose is to make a positive impact, and when we consider the future, our focus is on empowering people who will help us build sustainable industries. This mission aligns closely with our core values at CB Group,” she explained.
Samantha Fisher, the Assistant Brand Manager of CB Foods, highlighted the significance of football in Jamaica.
"Football is more than just a sport in Jamaica; it’s a way of life, a unifying force, and a celebration of our culture. CB Foods has always been passionate about nourishing our people with care and quality, we are excited to be a part of one of Jamaica’s most beloved national pastimes. Through this collaboration, we hope to ignite excitement, inspire greatness both on and off the field, and connect with the community: the footballers, fans, and foodies."
For his part, Owen Hill, CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited, said the CB Foods’ commitment to nation building and community involvement, augurs well the alignment of both entities.
“CB Foods is a community brand, and we appreciate their boldness in not only expressing their values but also actively working to make a real difference. Our goal is to positively impact the lives of footballers, the community, and the clubs. This three-year partnership reflects our commitment and passion for changing lives through football. We are excited to see what the next three years will bring,” said Hill.
Hill emphasized the benefits of the partnership for the players.
“This partnership directly impacts the clubs’ overall mindset because more collaborations like this will lead to greater visibility. Motivation is crucial, as it drives their performance on and off the field,” Hill explained.
CB Foods will engage with the community through its brands, including CB Chicken, Caribbean Passion, and Bad Dawg Sausages. We look forward to seeing how they will execute their initiatives at various Jamaica Premier League matches and in the community.
Guardiola believes De Bruyne will be difficult to replace at Man City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola knows it will be difficult to find a replacement for midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, should the Belgian depart next year.
The playmaker joined City in 2015 and has played a key role in their trophy-laden spell since then, but he will be out of contract at the end of the season.
De Bruyne's season has been hampered by injury, but the 33-year-old started his first Premier League game since August as City returned to winning ways after seven winless games against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
And Guardiola could not stress enough the impact De Bruyne has had on the club.
"I'm not involved in it," the City boss said, when quizzed about contract negotiations with De Bruyne.
"I would like to have him 23 years old and sign a contract for 10 years, this is what I'd like, we'll see."
De Bryune signed for City a year before Guardiola's arrival and has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five EFL Cups while also helping them to their first-ever Champions League triumph during the 2022-23 season.
"There are players for whom the impact on the legacy of this club will be eternal, will be forever," said Guardiola.
"Of course, it is not easy to replace [them], but as a club, we have to find in the moment, if it's going to happen, we have to find the best way."
Before the game against Forest, Guardiola had to brush aside suggestions of a rift between himself and De Bruyne.
"People say I've got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don't want Kevin to play?" he said.
"The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don't want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?
"He's delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he's been five months injured [last season] and two months injured [this season].
"He's 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He'll try to do it and feel better. I'm desperate to have his best."
'Milan shown lack of respect' - Fonseca bemoans refereeing in Atalanta loss
Paulo Fonseca thinks referee Federico La Penna showed AC Milan "a lack of respect" during their 2-1 defeat by Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman's late strike settled the contest at Gewiss Stadium, where Alvaro Morata cancelled out Charles De Ketelaere's earlier effort.
While Atalanta climbed to the Serie A summit following a ninth straight win, Milan saw their seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions come to an end.
However, Fonseca suggested his side were on the wrong end of questionable officiating, including for the hosts' first goal, where he felt De Ketelaere pushed Theo Hernandez while climbing to head home.
"I am not afraid to speak the truth," he told Sky Sport Italia. "I have always respected the work of the referees. I realise they have a difficult job, but every week, it is always the same.
"The way the referee officiated throughout this evening was a lack of respect for Milan.
"The first goal, [there] was a clear foul, there is absolutely no doubt. The way the referee officiated throughout was against Milan, there is no doubt."
Although, Fonseca acknowledged poor defending from set-pieces proved costly for his side.
"At the end of the day, we lost the game on two set-plays," he added. "The first half was very good, but in the second, we didn't have that link with the strikers.
"I think we deserved more tonight, it was tough to accept conceding two goals from dead-ball situations."
Meanwhile, Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini revelled in his side's victory, which lifted them to the top of the table and already had their supporters chanting songs about winning the Scudetto.
"Naturally, this is a great victory against a team with undoubtedly very talented players among the best in the league, and we thoroughly deserved the win," he said.
"The people of Bergamo have their feet firmly on the ground, so don't take anything for granted. If we were still up there after another 20 games, it'd be different, but as things stand, it is an expression of joy and a deserved one, too."
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