Roma boss Claudio Ranieri has launched his support for Ange Postecoglou’s brave tactics, stating he ‘loves’ the way his Tottenham Hotspur team plays following Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw.
The former Leicester City title-winning manager was taking charge of his second game since being appointed for a third time by Roma earlier this month and saw a stoppage-time goal from Mats Hummels rescue a point for his side. Postecoglou has frequently been critiqued for his unrelenting stance regarding his brazen playing philosophy, particularly after defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Ipswich Town before Tottenham’s 4-0 dismantling of Manchester City last Saturday.
He built on that performance by seeing his side collect their 10th point of their Europa League campaign, although they are now kept out of the top eight on goal difference. Ranieri sang the praises of his counterpart after the match, hailing the style of play he has implemented at Spurs.
“I said to Postecoglou he has a fantastic team. I love his football, always tries to win,” he told TNT Sports. “We made a good [performance] against a fantastic team.”
Postecoglou has thus found another ally for his playing methods, having often been questioned by analysts about his tactical mindset. After the draw with Roma, the 59-year-old defended his playing style when asked whether he was sacrificing wins for entertainment.
“Why can’t it just be entertaining? Isn’t it why we all come?” he smiled. “Would you really prefer us to sketch out a couple of 0-0 draws and a 1-0 win and we get through. I don’t know.
“I would much rather we’re exciting to watch and maybe it is edge-of-the-seat stuff and sometimes we don’t get the reward, like we could have tonight.
“But no, if you want those kind of games, there are plenty in world football you can watch every weekend. I’d like to think when you tune into us you’ll be entertained.”