Ange Postecoglou backs depleted squad to thrive in ‘unbelievable atmosphere’ in Istanbul – as Tottenham aim to continue perfect Europa League start against Galatasaray

Ange Postecoglou expects a generation of footballers who played through the silence of a pandemic to thrive in the vibrant hostility guaranteed when Tottenham step into the cauldron of Galatasaray.

Turkish football still cranks up the volume beyond its routine febrile din when the gilded visitors from Europe’s biggest leagues arrive more than 30 years on from Manchester United‘s infamous ‘Welcome to Hell’ night at the original Ali Sami Yen stadium.

Timo Werner once requested earplugs to help cope with the noise when Leipzig played at Besikstas in 2017, and Postecoglou’s Greek heritage is sure to command attention, but the Spurs boss has no doubts his depleted squad can take it all in their stride as they seek to extend a perfect start to the Europa League campaign.

‘That’s why you play football,’ said Postecoglou. ‘Especially this generation, a lot of them have experienced what football is like without supporters. You certainly don’t like that when we went through Covid.

‘We’re looking forward to it. It’s a fantastic stadium. The supporters create an unbelievable atmosphere here and they love the big European nights. They’re a very, very good team. It’s exactly the kind of games you want to be involved in in Europe, whether you’re young, you’re old, irrespective of the role you have, you look forward to it.’

The Turkish giants typically take the atmosphere up a notch when Premier League sides visit

Tottenham will be hoping to continue their perfect start to the Europa League on Thursday

Tottenham travelled to Istanbul without several first-teamers including first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. Both are injured although Postecoglou hopes Romero can recover from a toe injury to face Ipswich on Sunday.

Richarlison, just back from a calf injury, faces another lengthy absence with a damaged hamstring. ‘He will be out for a while’, said Postecoglou. Werner has been ruled out by a groin problem so he will be spared the earache.

Teenager Mikey Moore has not travelled because of a virus and Djed Spence is not in the Europa League squad. With nine points already on the board, there will be a temptation to ease the load on some of those who have played most often.

Posteocoglou has boosted his squad with teenagers including centre-forward Will Lankshear who started against Ferencvaros in Hungary and wide midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett, who only turned 16 last month and has eight goals and three assists in seven games this season for the Spurs U18s.

Galatasaray, who now play at the 52,000-capacity Rams Park on the northern edge of Istanbul, are strong. Turkish champions for the last two years and top of the Super Lig again, unbeaten with nine wins and a draw, and with a fearsome strikeforce of Victor Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, and Mauro Icardi.

‘They’re a very good team with very good individual players, and definitely a threat in the front third,’ said Postecoglou. ‘But that’s what you expect when you play against a top European side.

Tottenham travelled to Turkey without several first team regulars due to injury problems

Victor Osimhen is part of a fearsome Galatasaray strikeforce alongside Mauro Icardi

Davinson Sanchez is part of Galatasaray’s squad after making over 200 appearances for Spurs

‘We play in the Premier League, so we are playing top opponents every week, we understand what that’s about but it’s a good test for us. ‘We’ve started well in the Europa League. Our results have been good home and away and we want to continue that.’

Davinson Sanchez is also in a Galatasaray squad rich with former Premier League players. Sanchez made more than 200 appearances in six years at Tottenham and sold by Postecoglou last year.

‘He was a very good professional, always trained very hard and I’m looking forward to seeing him again,’ said the Spurs boss.