Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is a target for Inter Milan and the 29-year-old Italy international is believed to be open to a move to the Serie A club. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has dismissed speculation linking him with a summer transfer, with the Argentine, 27, stating his commitment is to helping the club avoid relegation. (Independent), external

Striker Randal Kolo Muani, who is on loan at Tottenham from Paris St-Germain, is being lined up for a permanent move to Juventus where the 27-year-old spent time last season. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Bardi
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There wasn't much hope, a fool's hope as some would call it, but for long stretches of the game it genuinely felt possible.

For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, Tottenham played with real purpose. The ball moved quickly, passes had intent, and chances came from good football rather than set-pieces. We were getting into decent positions and hitting the target.

In the end, it was just too much to overturn. Those slippy opening 17 minutes in Madrid left us with a mountain that was always going to be difficult to climb. Still, this is one of those mornings where you look for the positives, and there were plenty to take from last night.

What stands out most is how quickly the mood around the club has shifted. It feels different now. There is a togetherness on the pitch and in the stands that has been missing for a long time. Relegation, which not long ago felt almost inevitable, now feels like something we can fight together rather than simply accept.

There is nothing complicated behind this improvement. Igor Tudor has not come in with a magic solution. We are just working harder, running more, and winning our duels across the pitch. When chances come, there is a bit more composure instead of panic.

Against Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, we created real opportunities. We didn't take all of them, but it is a relief to see Spurs producing chances through open play rather than relying on set-pieces or long throws.

In midfield, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr are beginning to look like a proper partnership, full of energy and intent. Mathys Tel brings unpredictability and a threat in behind, while Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke mean we have a number nine for all occasions.

For the first time in months, there is real hope.

Now the focus turns to Sunday against Nottingham Forest. That is the real test. A point away at Anfield and a battling win against a team with a three-goal cushion will only mean something if our relegation rivals are swatted aside.

The European run is over and how soon we return will be decided over the next eight games. Today, though, it feels like hope. Not just a fool's hope.

Find more from Bardi at The Extra Inch - a Spurs podcast, external

We asked for your views on Tottenham's victory over Atletico Madrid - which was not enough for them to progress in the Champions League

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: A really encouraging performance on the back of our draw at Anfield, we moved the ball quickly and kept fighting to the end. Couldn't have asked for more in view of the first 20 minutes in Madrid.

Dave: If we play like that, if the fans support like that, and if we get a little help from the football gods, we will stay up. We were so much better…solid in defence, much more fluid and creative going forward and best of all, we gave it our all and never backed off.

Andy: Disappointed not to go through, but a very good performance to hopefully give the team more confidence. Archie Gray magnificent again, Xavi Simons and Vicario all superb. Arguably the best performance since September, which should help revive our season.

Dorothy: A really great and gutsy performance from the whole team. It was great to see a few players back from injury. The team looked confident and determined.

Oliver: It would seem that we are on the way back. Three points on Sunday will prove the point and we'll be back to the team we should be.

James: Much better performance. Could have taken a few more of the opportunities to make the comeback a real possibility. Good to see some much needed fight and spirit. Bring on Forest!

Image source, Getty Images

We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.

But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?

Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.

The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.

Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.

Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.

The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.

Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.

Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.

It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid says he was disappointed that Igor Tudor didn't acknowledge the fans after beating Atletico Madrid in their Champions League second leg tie, although the victory wasn't enough on aggregate to take Spurs through.

"I thought it was a bit strange and unnecessary," Reid said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Champions League Debrief. "He hasn't had a lot of positivity since he came in as the performances haven't been great, but they picked up a win so you'd think he'd want to be out there getting the fans on-board with a clap.

"That would make sure when the Spurs fans arrive on Sunday they are really behind the team.

"Yes, they have lost the tie and they have gone out of the Champions League, but he still needs to take any shoots of positivity that they can get and there were some in this game.

"They are really struggling for form in the Premier League but what I did like about this performance was the formation. It will be interesting to see what Tudor does at the weekend [against Nottingham Forest].

Listen to the Champions League Debrief on BBC Sounds

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur's traumatic season can be summed up to perfection by the fact that even when they actually win, it still ends in defeat.

Spurs built on their deserved draw at Liverpool on Sunday to deliver another excellent display in beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 in their last-16 second leg, but it was not enough to turn around the calamitous 5-2 loss in the Spanish capital.

This was a big upturn in performance and it will be needed again because Spurs now confront a huge game on Sunday, when fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium only one point behind in the table and the same tally as third-bottom West Ham.

Spurs have not won in 12 Premier League games - six defeats and six draws - since the victory at Crystal Palace on 28 December.

This is a run that must end now.

In a stadium that has been a toxic environment for so much of this season, it would have been music to the ears of the players to hear the applause and warmth sweeping down from the stands.

The attendance of 49,568 meant there were 12,000 empty seats inside the vast arena - but it was actually one of the best atmospheres this season as Spurs fans responded to their side's efforts.

It was well-merited as Igor Tudor's men deserved their second-leg success, even offering up moments when a miracle might have crossed the minds of their long-suffering fans as they led twice before being pegged back both times until Xavi Simons' 90th-minute penalty.

Tottenham and Chelsea are chasing Hoffenheim's 23-year-old Kosovo striker Fisnik Asllani. (Bild - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Pundits Nedum Onouha, Stephen Warnock and Guillem Balague join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from the Champions League lat-16 second legs.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 1-2 (1-5) Real Madrid

• Arsenal 2-0 (3-1) Bayer Leverkusen

• Newcastle 7-2 (8-3) Barcelona

• Liverpool 4-0 (4-1) Galatasary

Tottenham manager Igor Tudor, speaking after the game: "The sensations are mixed. You don't like to not get through, but it was a very good performance. It was a beautiful sensation on the pitch with the fans who were really there together with the squad and the team from the first moment.

"Congratulations to the players. It is positive, commitment, a lot of running, lots of good things.

"The energy was really nice from the first moment and the fans recognised the team did everything from the first minute to the last, and they were with us - beautiful, thanks.

"The players believed and you could see the performance at this moment is very important. In the last two games we have improved. It is an important game on Sunday [against Nottingham Forest] but it will not decide anything yet, it will be decided over the last three games."

Asked when Tottenham would be back in Europe: "Next year, no, it should be the year after that. Why not? Winning a trophy last season gave the confidence to the players, and it is totally different if you have experience in European competition."

On his club's injury problems: "Today we had 11 players and on the bench, just one player - [Kevin] Danso. [Lucas] Bergvall, [Destiny] Udogie and Conor [Gallagher]. The doctors said they could only play 20 minutes, so you have 11 players and Danso. That makes the value of this performance even better. It was nice to take the victory and important for morale."

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's a good build-up into the next games and gives us a lot of confidence. We are very proud of what we did tonight but, of course, we are disappointed we didn't go through, but the important thing is we have got energy and freshness.

"The team is in a better physical place, and we kept running until the last second, and we had the energy of the fans - we had unbelievable support.

"The next games are crucial, and we have to give everything we have but this is a positive start. It's good to see the young players when they have to stand up. They do it in this way, so I'm very proud of them, and we will need them in the last games of the season.

"We have eight games until the end of the season and everyone will be crucial. We need everyone behind us and this kind of support in good times and bad times."

Did you know?

• Tottenham Hotspur conceded seven goals on aggregate in a European tie for the very first time – in fact, it was the first time they'd conceded that many goals in any two-legged tie in any competition.

• Tottenham Hotspur have scored in their last 7 games in the UEFA Champions League, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 20 games from 22nd November 2016 to 17th April 2019.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Spurs were always fighting against the odds after that desperate first leg in Madrid put Atletico in complete control of this tie.

But, despite their recent struggles, Igor Tudor's side actually offered up moments of hope as they were willed on by home fans who appreciated the effort and refusal to give up despite a mammoth task.

And this display, coming on top of a deserved league draw at Liverpool on Sunday, drew warm applause at the final whistle despite the disappointment of an exit from the competition.

Spurs deserved their success on the night, showing enough to offer real encouragement as they now tackle the main business of their season - namely staying in the top flight.

And they'll be positive going into Sunday's all-important home meeting with Nottingham Forest, who are only one point behind them in the table along with third-bottom West Ham.

The big opportunity for a miraculous comeback perhaps came when Mathys Tel missed a huge chance to make it 2-0 late in the first half, but he was also one of his side's standout players, a threat throughout.

And what will also give Spurs and Tudor added belief was the manner in which they responded to the setbacks of Atletico's two goals, pushing until the final whistle.

They never gave up, despite the almost certainty of defeat to earn a morale-boosting victory.

It was a far cry from the last time they were here, feeling the full wrath of their own fans after a dismal Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace.

There was genuine appreciation for Spurs' efforts - and that alone will help fuel their battle for survival if they can continue to build on the improvement in their last two games.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Tottenham's performance?

Richarlison, the Tottenham hero with his last-gasp equaliser against Liverpool at Anfield, is not in the squad as they try to retrieve a 5-2 deficit against Atletico Madrid in this Champions League last 16 second leg tie.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor makes four changes in all, with Dominic Solanke, Kevin Danso and Souza replaced by Randal Kolo Muani, captain Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. Xavi Simons also comes into the starting line-up.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Spence, Simons, Sarr, Gray, Tel, Muani.

Subs: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Udogie, Bergvall, Gallagher, Olusesi, Kyerematen, Rowswell.

Atletico Madrid XI: Musso, Molina, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Johnny, Lookman, Alvarez, Griezmann.

Subs: Esquivel, de Luis, Gimenez, Koke, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Pubill, Vargas, Gonzalez, Diaz.

There are four games in the Champions League on Wednesday as the last 16 concludes, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Barcelona v Newcastle United (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Bayern Munich v Atalanta

• Liverpool v Galatasaray - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Atletico Madrid

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Barcelona v Newcastle" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Galatasaray".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Last week's hammering in Madrid was a chastening experience for all involved with Tottenham Hotspur, not least goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

A three-goal deficit means the tie is not completely dead and buried, but it feels a very tall task for a Spurs squad winless in their past eight - five of them under new boss Igor Tudor. Atleti, by contrast, have won six of their past seven, although they're a distant third in La Liga.

Did you know?

• Atletico Madrid are aiming to reach their first Champions League final since 2015-16, when they lost the decider to city rivals Real Madrid for the second time in three seasons.

• Only four teams (out of 51) have lost a Champions League knockout tie after leading by three or more goals from the first leg.

Atletico Madrid player to watch - Julian Alvarez

The joint-fourth top scorer in this season's competition with seven goals and three assists, the versatile forward bagged a double in the first leg. Alvarez is a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina and a Champions League winner as part of the Manchester City team that did the Treble in 2022-23.

Who else?

Versatile Spain international Marcos Llorente, equally at home at right-back and in midfield, scored last week's opener. Such versatility has made him virtually undroppable this campaign. The 31-year-old has a Champions League winner's medal from Real Madrid's 2017-18 campaign, although he played just 21 minutes of a group stage match against Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester City could let Brazilian winger Savinho, 21, leave in the summer and Tottenham are possible suitors if they retain their Premier League status. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has labelled talk that members of the squad are talking and thinking about their next club as "nonsense".

Various reports in recent weeks, including in the BBC Sport gossip column, have linked first-team players with summer exits, while our fan writer Ali Speechley wrote earlier in March that, "some of the squad has mentally checked out – unbothered by the badge us fans love so dearly, and instead dreaming about their next club".

"I've seen things going by, it's not something I look at a lot, to be honest," Van de Ven said in the news conference before Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid.

"It's reporters just saying something. So we're just like, how do you even come up with this? Like players are switched off or don't care about the situation. What's happening right now?

"And the only thing I can say about it is it's not true. It will be strange if a player will be in a dressing room now and saying 'Oh, I'm going to leave either way or I don't focus about the situation'.

"It doesn't affect me. And I think it's just nonsense. It's the biggest nonsense. Everybody's just focused on what's going ahead and what's in front of us.

"The other day when we read that one guy told the rest of the team that he doesn't care because he's leaving anyway. It's like how does this come out? It's just made up. And the fans will believe it. It's just frustrating for us guys.

"It brings so much more trouble as well, because fans are starting to believe this, but trust me, all the people involved on the pitch, the staff, the players, everyone, they care so much about the situation we're in right now, and we just want to turn things around.

"If there are some reports saying the guys don't care anymore, it's frustrating for our guys."

Tottenham boss Igor Tudor has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League last 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (20:00 GMT).

Spurs trail 5-2 from the first leg.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• After their clash of heads late in last week's first leg, Tudor confirmed Joao Palhinha's injury "was worse" and won't be available but captain Cristian Romero "can play".

• Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall "will be on the bench but not part of the game too much as they have just come back to us", while an assessment will be made on Conor Gallagher after the midfielder missed the first leg: "We see today what we can do. He has asthma problems, maybe some virus, it is not a nice thing. We will see tomorrow if he is fit for the bench."

• Is the aim tomorrow to reach the next round, or just to build confidence in the relegation battle?: "Both things. It is a game which we should play to pass. Our first thing is to stay in the league, but tomorrow is a big challenge to show we can do good things and show that they are not better than us."

• On Atletico Madrid's form, following recent heavy defeats by Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano: "It is difficult but not impossible. We need to stay in the game, focus on our strengths. Everything is still to play for, believing we can do it is the important thing from the start."

• Tudor was asked whether a weight has been lifted by winning his first point in charge at Liverpool on Sunday: "Of course, it is important when you give a good performance to confirm the good will, and to start to change things. The players really care, they want to do well. It is not easy to start to move things, but this is one good game. If you are honest on the pitch, football will give you it back. Now we need to continue in this direction."

• When asked if Tottenham will stay in the Premier League, Tudor said he is "very confident" of survival.

Follow all of Tuesday's European news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Spurs? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Image source, Getty Images

With Opta's supercomputer predictions suggesting it could be four teams fighting to avoid one relegation spot as we head into the final eight games of the season, we asked you who you think will be the one to go down (with Burnley and Wolves).

At the time of writing, Nottingham Forest - who Opta say have a 32% chance of finishing 18th - are the ones fans think are mostly likely to be in the Championship next season.

Here is a breakdown of the results so far:

• Leeds United - 8%

• Tottenham - 30%

• Nottingham Forest - 45%

• West Ham - 17%

Add your selection here