The UEFA Champions League is arguably one of the most competitive and well-known leagues in the world. This is perhaps due to the fact that it involves “the champions” of the top leagues in the world. However, someone has rightly observed that the league competitors comprise of the top-four or some in cases top-two finishers of the various European domestic leagues such as the English Premier League (EPL), Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, among others. Consequently, the competition should not be dubbed UEFA Champions League but rather UEFA Top 4 League.
The name of the competition is not the subject matter for today. It is about the predicament of Tottenham Hotspurs who have qualified for the semi-finals of the competition. This they did by beating ManCity on a superior away goal score line of 4-4. The nerve-racking, sensational and dramatic second leg took place on the 17th of April.
This means that Tottenham will be meeting Ajax who have equally qualified for the semi-finals by beating the Old Ladies, Juventus. The other semi-final match will be played between Barcelona FC and Liverpool FC.
Unlike the other three teams who have already booked their spot in the Champions League next year, Tottenham faces the chance of not making it to the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League Season as their slot in the top-four finishers in the EPL remains shaky.
ManCity had their sweet revenge by beating Tottenham by a lone goal just three days after losing to them in the quarter finals.
At the moment, Spurs will have to depend on the results of Arsenal, Chelsea and even Man Utd before it can be part of the top-four finishers and thereby qualifying for the Champions League next season. At the moment they are third on the table with 67 points. However, the points between the third and sixth position is only 3. Anything can happen. This is a really tough time for Pochettino and his boys. At the one end they are hopeful of beating Ajax and making it to the finals and lifting the trophy of the Champions League at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. However, at the same time they are faced with the stark reality of not making it to Champions League next season. They are possible winners of this season’s competition and yet they may miss out completely next season. How is that for a motivation to play and play well in all their remaining matches in both the Champions League and the EPL.
Spurs are left with four matches. Three of these will be played in their new stadium with one away game. They have to win all these four matches if they are to make it to the Champions League next season.
Author: Michael Hagan || Chrife.com.gh
