Spurs' strong display dispels small-squad struggles
After crashing out of the Champions League last season courtesy of a 2-1 defeat to Monaco, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted his squad was too thin to handle the rigours of Europe’s marquee tournament.
“Our objective is to be competitive in the Premier League and Champions League but we need to show more, maybe to add more quality in our squad,” the affable Argentine gaffer told the Mirror last November.
“We have quality, yes, to compete in the Premier League but maybe to share both, maybe after today we see we struggle a little bit.”
Nearly 11 months removed from the loss at the Stade Louis II, Spurs were again hampered by a handful of injuries for Tuesday’s unenviable visit to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid, but instead of suffering through a slew of second-choice players, Tottenham excelled in the 1-1 stalemate.
Winks glimmers in the Spanish capital
It’s easy to hype up English players, especially those that wear the badge of an academy product.
That’s exactly the burden that Harry Winks carries, and while the load is beyond his control, the 21-year-old made a good account of himself Tuesday.
With ball-stopping midfield duo Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama both absent with injury, Winks paired with Eric Dier in a 4-2-3-1 formation opposite central midfield monoliths Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Perhaps the greatest testament to Winks’ performance was that he didn’t appear out of place.
Winks completed 94 percent of his passes and successfully bagged 14 more than any other Spurs players, but it was his work in cutting off Real’s distribution through the middle to Karim Benzema that will earn the once-capped Three Lion praise. Look no further than Winks’ team-best three interceptions for proof of a polished two-way player who is making the most of Pochettino’s faith.
Sissoko shines out wide
Considering the magnitude of the opponent and its celebrated venue, Tottenham’s starting XI raised a few eyebrows.
Ben Davies’ illness and Danny Rose’s 10-month absence meant Jan Vertonghen slotted in at left-back, and with Dele Alli serving a suspension, Fernando Llorente played as a quasi No. 10 with Christian Eriksen and Moussa Sissoko on the wings.
While Eriksen was busy getting a 90-minute lesson in metronome management from Modric, Sissoko was starring on the left flank. Arguably his best performance in a Spurs strip since a deadline day move last summer from Newcastle, Sissoko combined with right-back Serge Aurier to brilliant results. An enterprising effort from the French international both in possession and off the ball saw Sissoko pair two successful dribbles, complete 82 percent of passes, and perhaps most remarkably, get stuck in on three fruitful tackles, monitoring the world’s best full-back in Marcelo.
Contrast between two continental campaigns
After getting bounced by the principality lot 11 months ago, Pochettino offered, “Maybe after five games we do not show enough quality to share two tough competitions in the Premier League and Champions League.”
Tottenham appeared outclassed in Europe, Winks barely had a few appearances under his belt, and Sissoko’s move to the English capital was maligned as one of Spurs’ worst summer signings.
A year on, and elated Tottenham supporters who had made the trip to Madrid were singing, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, who needs Bale when you’ve got Sissoko?”
What a difference a year can make.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
