‘I sacrificed myself. I think that was the reason why I did my knee actually, because after that it just wasn’t right. But I wouldn’t change it for the world’ Tottenham Hotspur star admits he put his body on the line for Europa League triumph

Tottenham Hotspur fans will always look to that night against Manchester United in Bilbao, which famously delivered their first trophy since 2008.

Brennan Johnson’s goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Ange Postecoglou finally getting his hands on that much-discussed piece of silverware.

But plenty more than that 90 minutes went into Spurs’ triumph, with some players still feeling the impact now.

James Maddison on his sacrifice for Tottenham Hotspur glory

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It was a historic occasion in the Basque Country for Spurs, but they might never have got there had it not been for a slender quarter-final win against Frankfurt earlier in the competition.

The first leg ended 1-1, leaving the north London outfit needing a result in Germany, and midfielder James Maddison gave everything to ensure his side got it.

“I put my body on the line for the team and got clattered by the keeper,” Maddison tells FourFourTwo now, speaking at PUMA’s new store on Oxford Street in London, the brand’s first European flagship store.

He recalls the incident which saw him taken out by goalkeeper Kaua, winning a penalty on the stroke of half-time that Dominic Solanke converted; the game’s only goal in the end, and the strike that sent Spurs into the semis – with Maddison having to go off in the interval due to the collision.

“I think that was the reason why I did my knee actually, because after that it just wasn’t right,” he says, still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in the following pre-season. “I had to come straight off in that game because I’d almost got concussion, basically.

“We might not have gone on and won the Europa League but for that [penalty]. It was quite pivotal for me personally too – I kind of sacrificed myself, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Maddison did appear in the semi-final against Bodo/Glimt, and scored, but since that day only has two pre-season cameo appearances, having missed the final against United through injury.

“Not being on the pitch in the final wasn’t strange,” he revealed. “Obviously you want to be involved, but I knew I’d played my part. I scored in the league phase, the round of 16, assisted in the quarters and scored in the semis, so I’d done my bit.

“I was more nervous to be honest, watching it as a Tottenham fan. I felt every emotion. I actually thought I was going to try to sprint on and get with the lads at the final whistle, but I got really emotional and started crying like a baby.

“Then I had an amazing moment with Sonny [Son Heung-min] when I first saw him – they’re great memories that will stick with me forever.”