Tottenham Hotspur begin their Europa League campaign against Qarabag as Ange Postecoglou’s side return to European competition.
Spurs were not involved in Europe last season and missed out on Champions League qualification in Postecoglou’s first campaign in charge. The Australian has set his sights on winning a trophy in his second season at Spurs, and the Europa League is a real opportunity for Tottenham to end their wait for silverware – but the club previously struggled in Europe under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
Qarabag, the champions of Azerbaijan, are Tottenham’s first test under the new Europa League format: they will also face Ferencvaros, AZ, Galatasaray, Roma, Rangers, Hoffenheim and Elfsborg in the new-look league phase. Spurs returned to winning way in the Premier League with a 3-1 win at home to Brentford last weekend but face a trip to Manchester United on Sunday.
Follow live updates from Tottenham vs Qarabag in our live blog below
Tottenham vs Qarabag LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
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Tottenham host Qarabag in Europa League opener, kick-off at 8pm
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Spurs return to European competition under Ange Postecoglou
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Spurs XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Davies; Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Team news! Tottenham vs Qarabag
18:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Ange Postecoglou goes strong! There are starts for Son Heung-min and Micky van de Venn, as well as appearances for Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Exciting team? It’s six changes from the Brentford game but the same front three.
Spurs XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Davies; Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Ange Postecoglou and Son Heung-min call for changes to football calendar
18:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou and captain Son Heung-min have both insisted the growing football schedule must be addressed.
Spurs begin their Europa League campaign on Thursday at home to Qarabag and the initial phase of the competition has been extended to eight games instead of six, which is also the same for the Champions League.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested last week that players could strike over the increasing fixture congestion before days later he suffered a serious knee injury.
“They may take things into their own hands. They’re the ones most affected to be honest, so you would understand if they started to think as a collective, how much are we going to have to continually not have a say in?” Postecoglou explained.
Ange Postecoglou and Son Heung-min call for changes to football calendar
Tottenham’s Europa League fixtures
18:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Sep 26: vs Qarabag (H)
Oct 3: vs Ferencvaros (A)
Oct 24: vs AZ (H)
Nov 7: vs Galtasaray (A)
Nov 28: vs Roma (H)
Dec 12: vs Rangers (A)
Jan 23: vs Hoffenheim (A)
Jan 30: vs Elfsbrog (H)
Tottenham’s recent record in Europe
18:16 , Jamie Braidwood
2024-25: Europa League, under Ange Postecoglou
TBD
2023-24: No competition
2022-23: Champions League, under Antonio Conte
Round of 16: lost 1-0 to Milan
2021-22: Conference League, under Nuno Espirito Santo and then Antonio Conte
Group stage: Knocked out after Rennes match was called off
2020-21: Europa League, under Jose Mourinho
Round of 16: Lost 3-2 on aggregate to Dinamo Zagreb
2019-20: Champions League, under Maurcio Pochettino and then Jose Mourinho
Round of 16: Lost 4-0 on aggregate to RB Leipzig
Tottenham return to Europa League
18:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Thursday night football returns to Tottenham. This is the club’s first Europa League season since under Jose Mourinho in 2020-21, where they reached the round of 16 before blowing a 2-0 lead in the first leg and losing to Dinamo Zagreb.
That just about sums out Tottenham’s adventures in Europe over the last five years, or since reaching the Champions League final under Mauricio Pochettino. Neither Mourinho nor Antonio Conte could do what Pochettino managed and get Spurs into a European final.
So how about Ange Postecoglou?
What is the Tottenham team news?
18:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Cristian Romero is suspended for Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou likely to rotate elsewhere. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall should get another chance to impress, while teenager Mikey Moore may also receive an opportunity with Wilson Odobert injured. Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon were left out of the Tottenham squad for this competition.
When is Tottenham vs Qarabag?
18:01 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham vs Qarabag is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 26 September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good evening
18:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham Hotspur begin their Europa League campaign against Qarabag as Ange Postecoglou’s side return to European competition.
Spurs were not involved in Europe last season and missed out on Champions League qualification in Postecoglou’s first campaign in charge. The Australian has set his sights on winning a trophy in his second season at Spurs, and the Europa League is a real opportunity for Tottenham to end their wait for silverware – but the club previously struggled in Europe under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
Can they get off to a winning start tonight?
