Tottenham vs Dinamo Zagreb preview: Levy’s work merits Mour trophies

Jose Mourinho is determined to mark Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s 20th anniversary in charge with silverware. 

Spurs resume their Europa League campaign tonight when Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb visit North London for the first leg of their last-16 clash. 

And Mourinho (pictured above) boasts the immaculate record of having never lost a knockout tie in the competition, having lifted the trophy with Porto in 2002-03 and Manchester United in 2016-17. 

Factoring in next month’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, the Portuguese is well placed to guide Spurs to a first trophy since 2008 — something he believes would be just reward for his 'big boss'. 

Trophies top priority

Mourinho, 58, said: "The work that goes on here at the club is undeniable. 

"The club is a big, big club in many aspects. Very, very well organised in many aspects. That is due to incredible work from him [Levy] as the big boss here. 

"This is why I don’t think it is fair to always judge a club on trophies. But trophies are the salt and pepper of football. 

"Not just for him but for everyone here — for the players, the fans. I would love to help them get one."

The 1,000 club

It is not just Levy who has a momentus occasion to celebrate this term. 

Mourinho added: "I am not a big guy on stats but my 1,000th official match is also going to arrive this season.

"In a career where I’ve been lucky enough to win so many things, it would be nice to celebrate it by winning a trophy for Tottenham. 

"We are going to try our best."

Zagreb were one of the surprise packages of the group stage, progressing to the knockout phase by securing top spot in Group K ahead of Wolfsberger, Feyenoord and CSKA Moscow. 

Visiting boss Zoran Mamic has also guided his troops to top spot in Croatia’s 1 HNL and saw them down Russian outfit Krasnodar 4-2 on aggregate to make it to the last 16 for only the third time in their history. 

Did you know? 

Zagreb have won their last six straight Europa League outings — their longest such streak in major European football. 

Harry Kane has scored 28 goals in his last 33 starts for Spurs in major European competition, including seven in his last six. 

Spurs beat Dinamo 4-0 at home during the group phase of the UEFA Cup in 2008-09 in their only previous meeting, with Darren Bent scoring a hat-trick.