Son and Porro defend Spurs manager and preview Man Utd Europa league final
20/05/2025
Estadio de San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain
Uefa25 europa league final Tottenham - Manchester Utd
20/05/2025
Estadio de San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain
Uefa25 europa league final Tottenham - Manchester Utd
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome to San Mames Stadium in Bilbao for the Matchday Minus One press conferences
00:12ahead of the 2025 UEFA Europa League final. We're joined by our first finalists, Tottenham Hotspur,
00:18with players Pedro Poro and Son Kion Min answering questions first. Questions are permitted in Basque,
00:26Spanish and English with simultaneous translation provided by Interprefy app. Please remember to
00:33introduce yourselves and stick to one question. Pedro will answer questions only in Spanish and Son
00:39in English. We'll begin with Dharmesh. Just wait for the microphone. It's the microphone.
00:47Hello, Sonny. Nearly 10 years now at Tottenham. What would it mean to you on a personal level if you
00:59were to go up and lift that trophy tomorrow night?
01:01Yeah, it will be very special and we will be obviously history moments. But yeah, I stayed here 10
01:11years and I just wanted to win the trophy, but which is nobody done it, you know, from where I've been
01:20here, you know, in a 10 years time. So yeah, tomorrow is going to be massive day for obviously for the club,
01:25first of all and for the boys and obviously for me as well. Ali.
01:34Hi there. Question to both of you really. Ahead of the final, I think the South American players
01:39organised a barbecue at the training ground and Ange was quite kind of keen that you all went. How
01:44important was that as a bonding experience before coming out to the final?
01:48I mean, it was, it was very important that everybody being together, having good time,
01:55spending time together and just talking about the life and feels like we're getting even closer,
02:01you know, but I mean, especially this season, which is such a tough season, but we've been always
02:06together. We stuck together and that's why we are here, you know. So I think last, last step left,
02:12so we're going to make it.
02:18Yes, well, what has said Sonny, it's also important for the form of the group. I think that since I arrived
02:27on the first day when I signed in the Spurs, I also made a barbecue because I think it's important
02:35that union. They are also like your family. I think that they are with you day-to-day,
02:43every day, in training, in the games, and it's also important to talk about your life with your friends.
02:54Hi, Sonny. Yeah, this match is very special to you and very special to the Spurs fans,
03:00especially to the Korean fans. They will watch this match at the 4 in the morning. So can you say
03:07some special, do you have any some special message to the Korean fans, please?
03:13Yeah, I mean, I really appreciate that they supporting me or us in the morning time, in the night time,
03:24late night time or early night time. They were always here and they're always supporting us. And
03:31as I say all the time that I want to give them something back. And tomorrow, I hope I can give
03:39some my smile and the trophy and the historic moment and they will never forget. So yeah, I hope we can
03:49enjoy together and celebrate together. Tom.
03:55Sonny, how are you feeling in terms of your fitness? How close do you feel to kind of peak sharpness?
04:00And can you play for the full 90 minutes if necessary? Look, obviously, I'm ready. I'm ready. And then I'm
04:08obviously back from injury. And it was my first game against Crystal Palace and play. Afterwards,
04:13I play against Villa around 70-ish, which I didn't expect to play that long, but I was managing to
04:23play. But look, I mean, physically, I'm ready, ready to go. And also the boys are ready to go for the
04:33biggest game of the season. Alex Crook from Talk Sports. Son, you're the only survivor from the
04:40starting Tottenham team from the Champions League final. How much can you use the pain of that defeat
04:45to make sure that you get a better outcome in this final?
04:48Yeah, still Ben Davies is here as well. So let's not forget about his commitment and his work rate. So yeah,
04:57I mean, yeah, it's going to be a huge, huge moment for both of us. And also for the boys that
05:05if we win it. And as we always say, the first step is going to be really hard. So it's hardest. So
05:11if you win that trophy, we can change the mentality. We can change the history and hope we can continue to
05:19compete for the for another trophies. This one here.
05:25Hi, good evening. Have you spoken to Harry Kane about tomorrow's final? Because after the last month,
05:32we can call him. He's the winner. He has experience in winning. So I'm I'm wondering if he has any advice
05:39to you for tomorrow's final. Obviously, everybody knows Harry is my my best mate. And also there are
05:46I was a huge honor playing alongside him. But after when he won the first title, we kind of have a chat
05:55about about his trophy. But yeah, I mean, he's he's already in holiday. So he don't want
06:02you don't want me to text. He don't have you don't have to text me. So I just concentrate
06:08myself with the boys. And obviously, Harry will be biggest sports fan tomorrow. I'm definitely
06:13sure that he will supporting us from from holiday.
06:16Pedro, acá atrás, por favor, habla Caio Castillo de Cassete TV de Brasil.
06:22And me gustaría saber si simplemente este título puede cambiar la historia del Tottenham
06:27y la historia de los jugadores que están en el equipo. Pues bueno, muchos años sin un título,
06:32muchos años sin un título europeo. Si este es el gran partido de la vida de ustedes
06:36y quizás del Tottenham.
06:39Sí, bueno, la verdad que sí, te diría que sí, porque es un momento importante para nosotros.
06:45Lo sabemos también, sobre todo los aficionados. Ellos también tienen, bueno, nos dan esa presión
06:55desde fuera, es normal, porque también lleva tiempo sin sin ganar. Y yo creo que para nosotros
07:02lo más importante es estar enfocado en el grupo, en nosotros y intentar hacerlo lo mejor posible
07:10para mañana.
07:11Tom.
07:12Hi, Sunny. Tom Barkley, de San.
07:18Looking back at that final six years ago, it was obviously a really difficult start in the game
07:22and it felt like the game was sort of over before it began with that early penalty.
07:25How important is it that Tottenham ever grow into the game and don't ever start like that
07:32going into this match? And what other experiences can you take from that particular?
07:35I mean, back in the days, I think, I still don't think it was humble.
07:40And yeah, we can't change it. So, but look, I mean, every game is, every game is same. Every game is,
07:47the first 15 minutes are huge important to get a, to get a game, game tempo, game rhythm. I think
07:55it's huge, it's huge important. And I will especially again mention to the boys that we're very important. We start well to get our confidence.
08:04My name is Omar Akatsuba, omarsports.com. My question is to the both of you. You can't see me, but I'm here.
08:11My question is to the both of you. You're facing Manchester United, a team you faced a couple of times this season, but on a different stage.
08:20What is it feeling like? Same of the same or special? Because of course, it's the final of the Europa League.
08:26Yeah, obviously, it's special. I mean, it doesn't matter who we play against in a special, special stages, special tournament. And in the final, to reaching in the final is never, never been free, you know.
08:41So, yeah, it's going to be a special game and it's going to be very tough game and difficult game. But we just got to do our things and concentrate ourselves and we'll see what's going to happen.
08:54Yes, of course. Like Sonny said, I think it's a special game. This season we've played with them several times, but it doesn't have anything to do with it.
09:09Because a final is a final and I think it's the most important thing that Sonny said. It's to be concentrated on us and hopefully we'll be happy at the final.
09:24George.
09:27Hi, Sonny. You've only got a year left on your contract from this point on. Do you kind of feel like it's kind of now or never for yourself in terms of winning that trophy at Tottenham?
09:41Future, we never know. Future, we never know. We might play next year, Champions League or we might play, I don't know, but we might play in the final.
09:49We never know, obviously. But I mean, the chance what I have now is it's real, you know, it's a fact. Tomorrow is a final of the game of a Europa League final.
09:58So that's it. I just don't think about anything else. This could be my last chance or this could be another chance. But I just want to concentrate about tomorrow and then concentrate about the winning and leave the trophy with the boys and celebrate together.
10:14Rather but please.
10:17Well, this is a question for Pedro. Jose Luis, of the Popular Sport. I would like to ask, Pedro, a player like your band, who is going to play a lot of Manchester United, who is Garnacho, has made a different plan or something to stop him?
10:31No, if I tell you the truth, no, no. But we know what we have to do. We know what we have to do.
10:39The truth is that we are not concerned about how we are. And if we are focused on 100%, that will be the most important part.
10:51Because then, each player has their characteristics, each player has their strong points. And I'm focused on what we have to do.
11:01Hello, good afternoon. Hello, Sony. I'm from China. So I want to ask you is, what do you think is the most difference between six years before when you are facing another final and nowadays in your, for example, in your role playing in the team and your attitude, your status, and so on?
11:28I also have a question for Pedro. Now you are playing in a great final here in Spain. How is your feeling for this? Thank you very much.
11:43I mean, six years ago, I played my first final in the professional level and it was very nervous moments and it was very exciting moments, obviously.
11:58But I mean, I was very nervous and couldn't believe that I was in the Champions League final. But six years after, obviously, I'm a grown man and experienced and just want to prepare in my way, calm.
12:14And obviously, this has changed so many years, so many different players and also the role of my role has changed. So from just, just player, I'm just captain of this club and the captain of the boys, leader of the boys and just want to help the boys to lift it together as my dream.
12:42And so we say that tomorrow is going to be history. I hope we can make a history day that I can never forget.
12:53Sorry, mate, I missed the question. Can you repeat my question?
12:57Is there a long way for this game?
12:59No. No, it's a little special, because, right now, seeing everything in my adversarial launch was goingnem Sonraki.
13:01Yes, sorry. Well, but it's very special, because...
13:06Since I know, the final was already here in Bilbao,
13:10and for a Spanish player, like me, it's always special, so I think we're very happy on this team.
13:19Sorry, sorry. I don't think at the start of the season anybody would have been too surprised
13:25at finding out this was the final.
13:28But the way this season's gone on,
13:30many people are surprised.
13:32Is it easy as a player to kind of forget about the doubts
13:36that must exist after losing so many games on both sides
13:40and just concentrate on this game and believe in your ability?
13:45Because most people would say your teams are better than the results.
13:50Yeah, I mean, in the league, I mean, definitely,
13:52which is where we are now, obviously, is unacceptable.
13:57But I don't want to think about it now.
14:01The things are not good, you know?
14:04It's not the right time to think about it.
14:07So, as I said, the whole press conference,
14:12we were here until receiving in the final.
14:16I mean, you may have to beat some good teams as well.
14:19You know, you have to travel some away games
14:21and you have to make difficult games
14:23and you have to be disciplined.
14:25You have to believe in yourself, which is what we did.
14:30And that's why we're in the final.
14:31So, yeah, obviously, we can change all the bad seasons in the league
14:36with that trophy.
14:38And then, I mean, Spurs are just missing the trophy.
14:41Some seasons we've been outstanding.
14:44We've been in the Champions League.
14:45We've been finishing in the second.
14:47But still, we were missing something.
14:50But this year, we can change that.
14:52So, as tomorrow goes, I hope we can change that thing tomorrow.
14:58And just the last question here, please.
15:00Hello, Sonia.
15:01I said, Captain, have you said anything special to the team,
15:05especially the younger boys, to help motivate them?
15:07I mean, I don't need to motivate them because it's the final of the game
15:15and everybody will know how important that is
15:18and everybody will be there to get excited.
15:23We'll be just telling them that we need to be together
15:28and we need to stay calm and just do our thing, right things,
15:33and the game will be in our hands.
15:37So, obviously, yeah, still haven't talked about the boys
15:40to get more motivation, but I will definitely talk to the boys
15:45about my experience, you know, about my real experiences.
15:49And we'll see what's going to happen.
15:52I hope tomorrow is a fun day.
15:54Thank you very much, everyone.
15:56Thank you, everyone.
15:58That concludes the players' portion of the press conference.
16:01Please remain seated for coach Ange Postacoglu,
16:04who will join us shortly.