"This could be the last opportunity." Captain Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) expressed his determination one day before the final. However, there are also predictions that he might not start. In front of a trophy waited for a decade, will Son Heung-min start from the bench?

Tottenham Hotspur will face Manchester United in the 2024-2025 UEFA final at 4 a.m. on the 22nd (Korean time) at the Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain. Son Heung-min attended an official press conference a day before the final and said, "Both I and the team are ready. I hope this will be a historic moment."

He said, "I have been at Tottenham for 10 years, but I have never lifted a trophy. It will be a special day for me, the club, and the entire squad," not hiding his determined expression. He added, "I have sufficiently raised my physical condition in the last matches. I am ready to play."

Locally, there are also speculations about the possibility of Son Heung-min being excluded from the starting lineup. The British outlet 'Football London' reported, "Head coach Ange Postecoglou is considering a formation change due to injuries among midfield resources, and either Son Heung-min or Richarlison could sit on the bench."

Coach Postecoglou has maintained a 4-3-3 formation throughout the season, but currently, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall are all absent. To change the midfield dynamics, a combination of Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Yves Bissouma is emerging as a strong possibility.

Accordingly, it is analyzed that one of Son Heung-min and Richarlison may give up the left-wing position. The media noted, "If Sarr enters the midfield, one winger position will be reduced. Son Heung-min has proven his condition after returning in the last two matches, but considering Coach Postecoglou's intention to preserve Richarlison for the final, Son Heung-min's starting status remains uncertain."

Furthermore, the possibilities of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formation have also been mentioned. If transitioning to 4-2-3-1, Solanke would play up front, with Son Heung-min or Odobert positioned in the second line. Especially, Odobert has shown threatening movements in recent matches, increasing his chance of being utilized. In a 4-4-2 setup, Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson would line up on the flanks, while Richarlison and Solanke would form a two-top.

On the other hand, the possibility of switching to a back three (3-4-3, 3-5-2) is considered low due to concerns over defensive structure and the low utilization of the Postecoglou system.

Reflecting on the Champions League final he played in 2019, Son Heung-min recalled, "I was very nervous then. Now, as captain of the team, my role is to calmly support my teammates." He added, "Everyone has come together for this moment. We strengthened our bond through a barbecue party, and we will go to the end together," emphasizing teamwork.

He also expressed gratitude to Korean fans. "I am very grateful to the fans who support us from early in the morning. I want to return the trophy to them along with my smile," he said, wrapping up the press conference.

Despite Son Heung-min's determination, the possibility still exists that his jersey number 7 may not be included in the final lineup. What Coach Postecoglou's final choice will be, and whether Son Heung-min can change the outcome even if he starts from the bench, will be answered tomorrow night in Bilbao.

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