# Totally Extra: Tottenham’s trip to the Champions League final

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-totally-football-show-with-james-richardson-923658/totally-extra-tottenham-s-trip-to-the-champions-league-final.md
Podcast: [The Totally Football Show with James Richardson](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-totally-football-show-with-james-richardson-923658)
Published: 2026-05-02T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/200-the-totally-football-show/episode-714
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6818cd43eb146d8e35d312c7/e/69f50016e1fad0f98a77489e/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-totally-football-show-with-james-richardson-923658/episodes/totally-extra-tottenham-s-trip-to-the-champions-league-final
Duration seconds: 3994

## Resource

A retrospective analysis of Tottenham Hotspur's improbable 2018-19 Champions League run and its connection to the club's subsequent decline. The panel examines how a summer of zero signings and an 'Icarus-esque' ascent to the Madrid final set the stage for years of instability.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The 2018-19 season was a period of extreme dichotomy, featuring incredible European comebacks despite a lack of summer investment
- Failure mode: The 'hubris' of reaching the final and the decision to sit on hands during transfer windows contributed to the club's eventual decline
- Practical takeaway: Success in cup competitions can mask deep-seated structural issues and a lack of squad refreshment
- Main idea: The era was defined by high-drama matches against Manchester City and Ajax that relied on individual brilliance and tactical grit
- Failure mode: The departure of Mauricio Pochettino marked the end of a specific culture that had unified the squad

## Topics

Tottenham Hotspur, Champions League, Mauricio Pochettino, Lucas Moura, Ajax, Manchester City, Premier League, European Football

## Chapters
- 1:00 — The History of Tottenham 2019: An introduction to the 2018-19 campaign, featuring Lucas Moura and the road to the Madrid final.
- 12:00 — The Cost of No Signings: A discussion on the risks of maintaining a squad without summer reinforcements and the need for a squad refresh.
- 17:00 — The Heroics of Lucas Moura: Analyzing the pivotal moments and late goals that propelled Spurs through the knockout stages.
- 27:50 — The Manchester City Rivalry: Reflecting on the intense competitive pattern of matches against Pep Guardiola's side.
- 33:10 — The Ajax Revolution: A look back at the exciting, high-energy Ajax side managed by Erik ten Hag.
- 43:20 — The Madrid Final and Aftermath: Examining the fallout from the loss in Madrid and the subsequent decline of the Pochettino era.
- 53:40 — The Legacy of the Run: Reflecting on the lasting impact of this era on the club's current trajectory and the footballing landscape.

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## Transcript

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