UEFA Cup winner believes Spurs must cope without star duo, just like the club did in 1984 triumph

It's the latest setback for Tottenham, who have suffered a wretched season of injuries to their playing staff. 

However, speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to Freebets.com, Hazard has harked back to the same issues facing the North London side ahead of the 1984 UEFA Cup Final and reminded fans that things turned out alright that night, when they beat Anderlecht. 

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He said, "It's just sort of been indicative of our season that throughout the whole course of the season, all we've had is injury upon injury upon injury.

"And no matter what club you are, the amount of injuries that we've had — you can't continuously replace them. And certainly when you're losing players of the ilk of Maddison and Kuluevski, who are two of our most creative players — they're the most difficult ones to replace.

"We can replace a defender because defenders are there to stop, they're there to win headers, to win tackles — most defenders can do that. But not most midfielders can have the key to the door.

"So losing Maddison in particular was massive. He's got the key to the door. And not only has he got the key to the door, he scores goals as well.

"So he was a massive loss. And then his — not his understudy, but his sort of fellow creative player, Kulusevski — can score goals and create. Suddenly we've lost him as well. So a massive blow.

"But hey, listen, back in 1984, we had Glenn Hoddle, the most creative footballer probably in the world at that time. He was injured. We had Ossie Ardiles, who was sub but was injured, so he couldn't really play. So two of our most creative players that ran throughout the club didn't play in the final.

"So it’s a similarity again to today, but we won the tie. Really, it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in and step up to the plate."

The game will be a saving grace for both sides who have endured miserable league campaigns, but could yet end up with a trophy and a place in next season's Champions League if they triumph in Bilbao. 

Pushed to predict a winner, Hazard can't hide from his loyalties and is tipping Spurs to edge out their Premier League opponents and lift a first trophy since 2008. 

"I think it's going to be a great game, number one," he added. 

"I think we've got two of the most creative, entertaining sides in the Premier League — not just this year, but throughout history. You know, Tottenham vs Man United has always held a special tag to it. Whenever those games happen, there's a high expectancy of creative, flair football. I think it's a great game.

"I think there's going to be goals. I think it could be a 3–2 or a 4–3. And I think — and I don't want to tempt fate and I don't want to risk karma — but I think that Spurs at their best have just got the edge.

"And I think we're going to win." 


 

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