Igor Tudor applauds Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr impact despite Spurs exit

Despite the victory on the night, Spurs were eliminated from the Round of 16 after a 7-5 aggregate defeat.

Tudor pointed to his young midfield pairing as a key reason behind the improved display, highlighting their influence across both legs. "There's a quality between these two players," he said. "The last two games, they really made a difference."

Gray, deployed centrally, earned special praise from his manager for his maturity and consistency. "He's playing continually in the right way, in a good way," Tudor explained. "It's a mix of quality, physically and mentally, to always make the right choices and stay humble. He needs to continue this – he's still young, so every day he needs a new confirmation."

Sarr complemented him effectively, with the pair providing energy and control in midfield against a typically disciplined Atletico side.

Tudor also acknowledged strong contributions from Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel, while noting a key refereeing moment that shifted momentum. "When it was a foul on Xavi, the referee didn't give it, and that little bit changed the game," he said.

Even in defeat, Tudor saw clear progress. "We are taking a good direction as a team and we need to continue," he added.

Spurs now turn their focus to the Premier League, where they host Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.