Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of greatness, but there’s a feeling that this one might just slip away from them.

Well, here’s a hard look at their stats in the Europa League and how it affects their chances going into the final at Bilbao

In a season where Tottenham Hotspur’s domestic form has been underwhelming, their UEFA Europa League campaign has stood as a beacon of hope. As they prepare to face Manchester United in the final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, the statistics from their European journey suggest that Spurs have the momentum and firepower to clinch their first major trophy since 2008.

Tottenham’s Europa League run has been characterised by a potent attack and a solid defence. They have scored 27 goals across the competition, averaging 1.93 goals per match, with their offensive prowess further highlighted by 16 assists. Tottenham have shown across the competition that they know how to score goals, and players like Brennan Johnson, Solanke, and Son have contributed heavily to their goals. 

Defensively, Spurs have conceded just 13 goals, averaging one per match, and have kept 5 clean sheets, showcasing their ability to maintain composure under pressure. Spurs have conceded only one penalty in their entire run, showing that defensively, they are not as shaky as they seem in the Premier League.

The team’s journey to the final has been marked by significant victories, including a 5-1 aggregate win over Bodø/Glimt in the semifinals and a 2-1 aggregate win over Eintracht Frankfurt, a game many thought they would lose.

In their semi-final and quarter-final ties, Tottenham displayed clinical finishing and tactical discipline. They also limited the goal-scoring chances of the biggest opponents they faced in their Europa League run, limiting the opponents from hitting them in crucial fixtures.

Manager Ange Postecoglou’s faith in youth has also paid dividends. In a 3-0 victory over Elfsborg, young talents like Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi, and Mikey Moore found the net, making Spurs the first English team since Arsenal in 2007 to have three scorers under 21 in a major European match.

Tottenham have relied on youth, the defensive partnership of Van de Ven and Romero, as well as the clinicality of Solanke and Son to push their way into a European final and give themselves a chance to break their trophy drought, which has lasted since 2008.

In terms of possession and passing, Spurs have maintained an average possession of 52.36% and a passing accuracy of 84.36%, reflecting their commitment to a controlled and progressive style of play. Their ability to dominate the ball and dictate the tempo has been a hallmark of their European performances.

As they head into the final, Tottenham’s Europa League statistics and overall performance in the competition suggest they are well-equipped to overcome Manchester United and lift the trophy. They also come into this final with a boost that they have gotten the better of Manchester United in all their meetings this season. Spurs could capitalise on the fact that Manchester United are winless against them in their last six meetings. This could go a long way psychologically.

A victory would not only end their 17-year silverware drought but also secure a coveted spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, providing a silver lining to an otherwise challenging season.