FanSided World Football
·8 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsFanSided World Football
·8 November 2024
On Thursday, Spurs lost their first game of their Europa League campaign with a 3-2 defeat against Galatasaray in Istanbul. Nevertheless, Ange's side are in 7th place, which is enough for an automatic qualification spot for the last 16 of the competition.
So, what were the main talking points from the defeat? There isn't going to be any piling on here, just attempts to give balanced and level headed takes.
There are no doubts he has some defensive qualities, but Radu Dragusin is not suited to an Ange Postecoglu system. He has physical qualities and is good in the air, but really struggles on the ball, and is not the quickest either. Two crucial traits to playing on the halfway line.
Most people already knew this, but Archie Gray is definitely a midfielder. We saw against Manchester City that he doesn't like to be isolated 1on1, but this is more about his on ball qualities. The pass for the goal was absolutely sublime, and came from a central area.
You could make the argument that he was able to make this pass despite playing at left-back, owing to the way Ange Postecoglu uses his full-backs. However, if he was playing in midfield, this could happen, or something similar, a lot more often.
It was interesting that it came from the left hand side too. Gray usually played on the right side of the double pivot for Leeds, and has of course played right-back a lot. Obviously he was at left-back tonight, so that part is normal, but the fact he was able to show such quality was intriguing.
As alluded to before, Dejan Kulusevski has the right central midfield role locked down, but there could be an opportunity for Gray in the left central midfield role, with that position being more open.
We saw, yet again, how important Destiny Udogie is in these games. Spurs were lacking physically tonight, as well as their clear on ball issues, and Udogie would have helped in that. In fairness, he probably wouldn't have played the pass for the goal Gray did, but in general, he is really useful for a game like this.
Unfortunately, and completely understandably, he needed to be rested for this one. He can be fresh for the game against Ipswich Town on Sunday, and ideally not get too many minutes for Italy during the October international break.
It will get lost amidst the chaos, and frustration, but Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur were both pretty good in the second half, especially the latter, who recorded; 42 touches, 2/4 dribbles, a goal saving clearance, three blocked shots, and three tackles.
The 27-year old really helped Spurs actually keep hold of the ball at times, something they could not do whatsoever in the first half - as well as clearly showing his tenacious side. Let's hope the talk of a ban continues to stay quiet, because Bentancur could have a big part to play going forward.
Just a shoutout to Will Lankshear. He got sent off, unfortunate, it happens. He was frustrated. For a 19-year old to score in such a hostile atmosphere is a great achievement. Some top tier movement to get on the end of Johnson's pass whilst making sure he was onside at the same time.
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