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José Mourinho apologized to Tottenham fans, saying his players failed “in the basics of life” after blowing a 2-0 lead to be knocked out of the Europa League by Dinamo Zagreb.
A second leg described as “diabolical” and “a disaster” by former player and coach Glenn Hoddle saw Spurs eliminated in the round of 16 in Croatia after extra time.
A hat-trick by Mislav Orsic did the damage, reversing the comfortable lead that Mourinho’s team had built in last week’s first leg, prompting Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to call the performance a “shame”.
“They [Dinamo] left sweat, energy, blood. In the end they left even tears of happiness, “Mourinho told BT Sport.” They were very humble and committed. I have to praise them.
“On the other hand, my team – I repeat, my team – did not seem to be playing an important game. If for any of them it is not important, for me it is.
“I am disappointed by the difference in attitude from one team to another. I regret that my team is the team that did not contribute to the game not only the basics of football, but the basics of life, which is to respect our work.” and give it all
“I can only apologize to the Tottenham fans. I hope they feel the same as me. Today is live or die, and at this moment, we die.”
Relying on their 2-0 lead in the first leg, Tottenham seemed relatively comfortable for just over an hour in Zagreb, until Orsic’s first goal began to push them out of the tie.
He tied the tie with eight minutes of normal time remaining and then won it for his team at the start of the second period of overtime.
Tottenham forced two good saves from home goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic late in the game, but it was too little, too late.
“Because of the respect I have for my career and my work, every game is important,” Mourinho said. “For every Tottenham fan at home, every game is important. A different attitude is needed. What I feel is much more than sadness.
“I just came out of the Dinamo dressing room where I went to praise the boys and I am sorry that it was not my team that won the game because of attitude and commitment. I feel more than sad.
“Football is not just about players who think they have more quality than others. The basis of football is attitude. They beat us at that.”
‘The team is a reflection of what is happening at the club’
World Cup winner French goalkeeper Lloris gave a brutally honest assessment of his team’s performance and a glimpse of the problems the club is concerned about.
“It’s a shame,” he told BT Sport. “I hope everyone in the locker room feels responsible. The taste of defeat is more than painful and we are all responsible.
“We are a club full of ambition, but the team at the moment is a reflection of what is happening in the club. Lack of fundamentals, lack of fundamentals. Mentally we should be stronger, more competitive.”
“At this level, when you are not ready, you pay, and if you do not respect the opponent, he is punished. The fault lies with the whole team, the whole club. We are guilty.
“The way we play is not enough. It’s one thing to come in front of the camera and say ‘I’m ambitious.’ The other is to show it every day. Acting as a team is the hardest thing in football.” .
“If you follow the team only when you’re in the starting eleven, that can be a big problem and today is the consequence of that.
“We had great moments in the past because we could trust the unity of the team. Today I’m not sure about that.”
‘They lost the plot and they also lost their hearts’
Former Tottenham player and manager Glenn Hoddle, who worked on the match as a BT Sport expert, was scathing in his assessment.
“Mentally, they have been wrong throughout the game,” he said. “I said beforehand that if Zagreb scored, I expected a reaction. That was the Spurs’ chance to respond, but they backed off.
“They went downhill instead of fighting. They should have turned the gears up, but they didn’t.
“There is not enough quality in the team. Everyone looked at each other. When that happens, it’s a disaster for a team.
“There was no one on the night that said they were going to take responsibility and change the game. You need leadership, but they just looked at each other.
“They lost the plot but they also lost the heart.”
His former striker Peter Crouch, sitting next to Hoddle, was no less critical.
“They haven’t appeared in two games now,” he said, also referring to Sunday’s Premier League loss to Arsenal.
“You talk about seeing a reaction when you drop a goal, but we saw the players hiding. No simple passes, no creativity.
“The goalkeeper made some good saves, but Zagreb was the best team and they deserved to pass. You wonder where the Spurs season is going now.”
‘The season is hanging by a thread’
So where is Tottenham’s season going?
They are still in the running to secure a top-four result in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League next season, but with a six-point gap between them at Chelsea’s eighth and fourth place, they can afford some. more mistakes.
They also have the Carabao Cup final in April, but will start as outsiders to Manchester City, the league leader in the form of Pep Guardiola.
“The club is at a crossroads this season,” Hoddle said. “Yes, they could beat Manchester City in the League Cup final, but you can’t turn it on at Wembley in a cup final. It would save the season, but if they don’t, where will this season end?”
“They have brought José in to win the silver medal. If he wins it, then that could be a stepping stone. They are absolutely miles away from that, but you have to be optimistic.”
Crouch was also concerned about the club’s long-term direction and its ability to retain its best players, most notably captain and top scorer Harry Kane.
“His season is hanging by a thread,” he said. “When I see Harry Kane walking away, he shouldn’t even be playing in this competition.
“That’s the worrying thing: Where is his head? Players who deserve to be at a higher level than the Europa League? Games like this certainly don’t help.”
“It was an honest interview [from Mourinho] and things did not have to be disguised. He questioned the attitudes of the players.
“The players got into it and thought they were going to lose it. I don’t think they can fix things this season. In form in the last two games, they’re miles away from the top four, so where does that leave them?
“This is not a successful season.”
What did you say…
Siff: José has to do it after this passive and timid display and after Sunday, he can’t do anything with this squad. Let Ledley [King] direct against Villa and replace José in the international break.
Leeward: I don’t care how much it costs us, Mourinho has to go after tonight. This is beyond a joke.
Angelo Lambo: At this point, I am sincerely happy when we lose just so there is a better chance of Mourinho getting fired.
Andy: How many beeps can I use to describe this terrible performance by the Spurs? I hope Levy is happy with his appointment of Mourinho.
Steve, the embarrassed Spurs fan: For all those calling for José to leave, what about the players who have been weak in both attitude and application?
Mark Burt: Spurs fans can hit Jose to get the cows back home, but the lack of cheer from the players is upon them. Managers can provide a game plan, but cannot show the bottle.
Matt, a Spurs fan who dies inside: REMOVE MOURINHO NOW !!!!!!!!
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