Last night’s Europa League clash was a severe test for José Mourinho and a Tottenham side that had been scrabbling for positives as they reclaimed their form against Premier League welterweights and extremely poor cup-tie opponents. Dinamo Zagreb offered a different proposition altogether, especially in their physicality. Spurs’ wit and spirit rose above the rough and tumble.
The Dinamo coach’s line about Harry Kane being a master has been doing the rounds, but he spoke even more favourably, and I found some quotes from his presser via the Croatian outlet., Novilist.
Mamic acknowledged that Spurs had difficulty creating opportunities and that in some respects, the Croatians had managed to stall the grind. And that his boys failed to take their chances. Of course, in the return leg, there will be no alternative but to attack.
Make no mistake, Tottenham will have to maintain these levels of intensity if they are going to progress in this or any other competition.