Erik Lamela‘s goal (without seeking to single him out to be mean to him) summed up the Europa League. It’s difficult to imagine just how far down our own domestic leagues one might have to go in order to find a pass like that become a shot.
The Europa League is sometimes in the heat of the occasion taken by fans as a reliable yardstick of how players are fairing. Sure, general trends can be detected, but this was a team that were 26/1 to win last night’s game. In horse racing terms, that meant that the horse was relatively likely to complete the course, perhaps even with its jockey still in situ, but there was close to zero hope of it even been placed, unless it was the Grand National. So don’t draw too many concrete conclusions from any of these games until you can start to smell the Brasso from the cup itself.
Sonny‘s goal stank of intelligence and was put away where only the most deliberate handball would prevent it going in. Class finish from the South Korean.
Son made the ball in for Harry Kane‘s closer which looked routine stuff, but technically perfect from both parties. José will be happy as it kinda proves he really does need another striker to do that stuff.
Bayern Munichs first game of the season, 8-0 against Schalke. Last night they beat Sevilla in the European Super Cup..
That’s the standard we must aim for, there is no inferior opposition where you can take it easy, treat them all with respect, just another bad attitude of Spurs that has to be unlearned to reach Bayern’s level.
They did defend well and some of their little triangles of play were not only pleasing on the eye were getting through us at times.Our fitness and bringing the cavalry on in the second half made the difference.
With our track record I don’t understand why we should have to go through the pre-qualifiers.That should be made up of minnows who would get the chance to spring a surprise in the coming round.Our fixture schedule is criminal.
I’d rather a fit lamella than a fit Dele.
The way they defended last night was admirable (Tight well spaced lines) block one block 2 squeezed us up. I was very impressed. I knew they’d tire though. Our fitness saw them off
I suppose it can be hard to raise our game against mickey mouse teams. There is a definite difference in a Spurs team facing a top PL side than one facing the likes of these teams that nobody has heard of. Quality opposition brings an injection of desire I think.
They were on a good run of form I think the common ‘tater said 4 wins and 2 draws to top their league it is difficult to compare but maybe the equivalent of say going to Bristol City and winning 3-1.
p.s. I dont get the Lamela dig
CL is a much tougher competition. It’s leagues apart from the ropey… The CL is full of champions and title winners… The top teams have strength in depth and can cope with rotating and resting players.
Even from the start of the competition a Champions league tie might well be a ‘bigger deal’ than the Premier League fixture. It requires that focus and performance level, you need your best players hitting their best form.
The Europa at the early stages is always second to the league game, the ideal performance is workmanlike without any scares, no injuries, and hopefully as much squad rotation as you can get away with. There’s no glamour there, just get it done and protect your league performance at the weekend.
The temptation to rotate the squad more than in the CL can make it more of a pitfall and actually a harder competition to manage it seems.