It’s just who we are, mate.’ Ever since Ange Postecoglou pushed his nine remaining Tottenham players up to the halfway line against Chelsea two years ago, he’s seemed bound to his all-out attacking principles.
Only it wasn’t who they were when it mattered most in Bilbao as Postecoglou’s side dropped deep and went direct to beat Manchester United and end their 17-year wait for a trophy.
Spurs mustered three shots against United, had only 28 per cent possession and completed just 115 passes, all the lowest figures statisticians Opta have on record for a team in a major European final since 2009-10.