Amorin s tactical experiment makes bitter fruit, Australian-Polish iron-blooded and pragmatic breaking the curse - Tactical game and historical breakthrough behind Tottenham s European League

(May 22, 2025, St. Mames Stadium, Bilbao) In the Premier League "down-out derby" in the 2024/25 Europa League final, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester United 1-0 with Brennan Johnson's agility, ending the 17-year championship drought, and miraculously locked in the UEFA Champions League qualification for next season with an all-time low ranking of 17th in the Premier League. This showdown is not only a turning point in the fate of the two teams, but also an ultimate collision of the tactical concepts of the two coaches - Amorin's stubborn three-guard experiment and Postkoglu's rare and pragmatic adjustments, jointly wrote this controversial classic battle.

Amorin: The collapse of the three-back system and the controversy in employment

1. The tactical system is not adapted to the local conditions

Since taking over Manchester United in mid-2024, the 3-4-2-1 system that Amorin has vigorously promoted has never been integrated into the Premier League rhythm. In the final, Tottenham's full-back's tactical design of the midfielder and the flexibly switched the winger completely broke through Manchester United's defense: the left side composed of Luke Shaw and Dalot became the hardest hit area. The former was in a sluggish state after recovering from injury, which not only failed to limit Tottenham's offensive on the side, but also suspected that the "own-and-answer assist" caused the goal conceding. Data shows that Manchester United's three-center-back system has a slow speed in filling up the wingbacks. When Tottenham's 62% offense is concentrated on the left, the defensive loopholes are infinitely amplified.

2. Key personnel decision-making mistakes

Amorin's deployment caused huge controversy:

-Luke Xiao forced his comeback: Although he has shown signs of fatigue in the league (only played the whole game once in the last 5 games), Amorin still took the risk of using Luke Xiao, who has not yet returned to his best form, and his 6.2-point post-match rating is at the bottom of the team.

- Mount's front midfielder failed: he retreated to the midfielder and made Mount the choice to serve as the frontcourt libero completely failed. Mount had 0 shots in front of the game and lost the ball 7 times, which directly led to Manchester United's left offense paralysis, and it was not until Garnacho came on the bench to make a little progress.

- Hoylen is isolated and helpless: Hoylen, who has a success rate of only 22% in the Premier League air battle this season, continues to be pushed to the front line, while Manchester United's midfield lacks the ability to deliver, which makes him touch only 19 times in the game and becomes a tactical victim.

3. The locker room trust crisis

Amorin admitted after the game that "if the board of directors is unhappy, he is willing to leave the team for free", reflecting the internal contradictions caused by tactical experiments. It insisted on the three-back system but did not strengthen it in a targeted manner (only loaned to Zilkze in the winter window), which was seriously mismatched with the player's abilities, resulting in Manchester United hitting the lowest ranking in the Premier League era (16th place).

Postkoglu: The tactical revolution from "sexy football" to iron-blooded defense

1. Subversive tactical adjustment

OPo, known for offensive football, rarely gave up ball possession (the ball possession rate of 27.7%) and launched a 4-3-3 defensive counterattack system:

Midfielder strangle chain: The midfield triangle composed of Bentancur, Saar, and Bisuma completed 22 steals, and 16 fouls in the first half interrupted Manchester United's rhythm.

Defensive line extreme compression: Van der Fen and Romero's partner contributed 9 clearances, goalkeeper Vicario's save success rate was 100%, especially the 78th minute's divine pounce resolved B Fee's long shot outside the penalty area, which was a turning point in the finals.

2. Accurate on-the-spot dispatch

Son Heung-min strategic substitute: press season scorer Son Heung-min on the bench, starter Richarlison strengthens the confrontation, wait for Manchester United to take the field to attack in the 65th minute after their physical fitness declines, and directly creates three threatening passes.

air defense plan won: against Manchester United's top-notch tactics, he replaced Danso at 1.95 meters in advance, successfully resolved 6 crosses, ending the opponent's counterattack hope.

3. Psychological construction and historical breakthroughs

Boss Bo motivated the whole team with "trophy over league ranking" before the game, breaking Tottenham's championship drought since the 2008 League Cup. His metaphysical law of "must win the championship in the second season" was fulfilled again (Yokihama Mariners and Celtics reached the top in the second season per capita), captain Romero continued his career finals and Son Heung-min finally realized his dream of winning the championship.

The winning and loss code behind the data

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Aftermath: The two giants at the fork in fate

Tottenham Hotspur: The championship prize exceeds 100 million euros + the Champions League qualification is injected with a heart-warming agent. Boschach has received full support from the board of directors to start reconstruction, and youth training star Berrival may become Madison's successor.

Manchester United: Missing the European Games + setting the lowest ranking in the Premier League, Amorin's stay or stay is doubtful, Ratcliff may restart the "de-Portuguese Super League" strategy, and it is imperative to clean up high-paid players such as Mount and Luke Shaw in the summer window.

This final confirms the cruel truth of the football world: tactical idealism needs to be rooted in reality, and history will only remember the winner's wisdom of breaking the deadlock. When AUP held the trophy high, the "17 years are waiting for the end" shouted by Tottenham fans, and the confusion of Manchester United fans "Where is the road to reconstruction" together constitute the prelude to the new era of the Premier League.