The Loss That Changed Everything
A night that could have saved the season. A night that could have brought in much-needed money and a trophy in Amorim’s first season. It didn’t happen. I’ve waited a week to write this because I couldn’t cope with how significant this loss feels for our transfer window.
This was meant to be Amorim’s launchpad. We’ve always managed to back our managers in their first summer. It won’t be the same now. With the new PSR rules that no one fully understands, and no European competition next season, we are in a bad place financially. Some reports say we can only spend £100 million including sales. Others say £100 million plus whatever we make. No one knows which is true. We’ll see. But this verdict is not about the window. It’s about the night everything fell apart.
First Half: Passive Possession, No Threat
The first ten minutes felt steady. We looked confident in possession, moving the ball around calmly. We didn’t create anything meaningful, but we weren’t shaky. Spurs were playing deep, just like they did against Frankfurt, and relying on quick counters.
Just after ten minutes, Onana was forced into a save from Brennan Johnson. It was a decent shot. Onana did well. First proper moment of the game.
Amad then started to demand the ball more. He was dribbling, looking to make something happen. Around the 15th minute, he had a chance in the box. He went for goal but dragged his shot wide of Vicario’s right post. If he had a bit more finesse like Antony’s usual curlers, it might have gone in.
The rest of the first half was honestly boring. United had more of the ball, which I didn’t expect. I thought Ange would go aggressive against our weak backline, pressing high. But instead, Spurs sat back and played for transitions. That meant we had more of the ball, but didn’t really do anything with it. A lot of passing to fullbacks, but no end product.
Then came the 40th minute. Mazraoui passed it to Bruno, who tried a feint and played a poor ball to Casemiro. It was intercepted by Sarr, who gave it to Richarlison on the left. Richarlison passed to Bentancur, who made a run but then pulled out and laid it back to Sarr. Sarr delivered a cross into a crowded box. The ball deflected off Johnson, then Shaw, and went in. Onana’s reaction was slow again. Shaw looked at Dorgu like it was his fault, but I think Shaw should have done better. He looked off all half.
Second Half: Slow Reactions and Missed Chances
Second half began and Spurs sat even deeper. They just wanted to see the game out. United had the ball, had the possession, but had no threat. We couldn’t break through their midfield and ended up going wide again and again, spamming crosses. It was predictable.
By the 60th minute, we had a few attempts, a few shots on target, but nothing dangerous. Mount was clearly not working. Garnacho should have come on earlier. We needed someone to actually attack defenders.
By 67 minutes, we finally created something. Bruno delivered a set piece, Vicario punched it, it fell to Hojlund who headed it goalwards. Van de Ven read it brilliantly and cleared it off the line. While the other Spurs defenders stood still, he was the one who reacted.
Four minutes later, we finally made changes. Mount off, Garnacho on. Hojlund off, Zirkzee on. It was late. These should have come at halftime.
At 71, we showed some urgency. Mazraoui found Bruno with a good ball, but Bruno’s header was poor and wide. Still no shot on target from a good position.
Then came 73. Garnacho did what he always does. Drove to the edge of the box, cut inside, got a shot off. It was on target. Vicario saved it. But it was finally something. This is the threat we wanted from Mount but never got.
After that, the game just drifted. No urgency. No plan. It felt like the players didn’t understand the weight of the game. We were losing a European final, and still looked calm. There was no desperation.
At 96 minutes, in the final minute of stoppage time, Dalot delivered a great cross to Shaw who got a header on goal. Saved again by Vicario. That was our last chance.
Final Whistle: What Now?
Full time. Spurs win their first major trophy in 17 years. Ange did say he wins in his second season. He delivered. Their players were emotional. Ours looked lifeless. Some didn’t even deserve to be there.
Only players who showed something were Dorgu and Yoro. Bruno, Shaw, Mount were poor. The result is going to hit us hard. The summer is now full of uncertainty. No UCL, no Europa, and a messed up financial situation.
Maybe we get a Fabrizio “Here we go” for Cunha soon, but it’s hard to care right now.
Garnacho’s Interview and What It Means
Garnacho’s post-match interview summed up the vibe. He said:
“It’s obviously tough for everyone after this season, which was really sh*t, both now and after losing the Community Shield. We didn’t beat anyone. Up until the final, I played every round, I helped the team. Today, playing 20 minutes… I don’t know. The game has an influence, but the season itself and the situation at the club… I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.”
I agree and disagree with him. He should have played more, yes. He’s been one of the few bright sparks this season. But having a Ronaldo-like ego without Ronaldo’s influence is not the way to go. Especially at his age. If the reports are true, Amorim told him at training the next day,
“You better pray that you can find a club to sign you.”
That is the kind of treatment Fergie used to hand out. And it’s needed. No one is bigger than the club.
He’s likely going to be dropped for the last game of the season, which is meaningless for us but huge for Aston Villa and their Champions League push.
I’ll see you after that game. Until then, don’t be too down. We’ll rise again. Someday.
Yanited. Yanited. Yanited.
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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