Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will face off in the Europa League final at the San Mames stadium on Wednesday.
We will highlight several important points.
A final that will be decisive for the Premier League losers
At the start of the season it would have been logical to expect Tottenham and United to be involved, but few could have predicted the dire state in which the teams would arrive in Spain.
The Red Devils are 16th, one game away from ending their worst top-flight season since 1973-74, while the north London club are a point and a place behind after suffering their 21st Premier League defeat on Friday.
The Europa League has naturally taken precedence over domestic fixtures for both clubs in recent weeks, and a win in Bilbao would give both faltering sides trophies and a Champions League spot.
Can Spurs end their 17-year trophy drought?
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou surprised everyone at the start of the season by saying he had always won in his second year in charge – a remark that has often surfaced during his desperate domestic campaign.
The Europa League has provided some consolation and now offers Spurs the chance to win their first trophy since the League Cup in 2008 and a first continental title since their UEFA Cup triumph in 1984. There is a feeling that success in the Europa League may not be enough to keep Postecoglou in his job, but it would be a fitting way for the Australian to end his career at the club.
Can Amorim lower the pressure and help with recovery?
Since Ruben Amorim's appointment as manager of Erik ten Hag in November, he has had more memorable quotes (numerous) than Premier League wins (six).
However, United fans have remained loyal to the outspoken Portuguese boss in a season where the Europa League has provided some hope and relief.
However, their much-needed recovery will be severely damaged if they suffer their first European defeat of the season at San Mamés, which would see them end their first season without European football since 201
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
