Radu: "It's crazy to think it's a year since my last start - now, it's a new chapter" | OneFootball

Whichever way you calculate it - 371 days, 61 matches in all competitions, 38 in the Premier League, so, a full season in Premier League terms - Radu Dragusin had to wait a long time to hear a referee blow the whistle for kick-off in a competitive match.

The wait was over on Sunday. No ordinary match - champions Manchester City, chasing the title again, Erling Haaland up front (27 goals in 34 this season) - and no ordinary circumstances.

We started the match with a back three and found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time with skipper Cuti Romero withdrawn through illness. Having been out for so long, Radu was now last centre-back standing.

Thomas Frank changed formation to a 4-4-2 for the second half, Dominic Solanke made it 2-1 on 53 minutes and we took off. Dominic produced his 'one in a million' scorpion kick and, at 2-2, we looked like the team ready to take the victory. At the other end, Radu, partnered by Joao Palhinha, with Archie Gray right-back and Destiny Udogie left-back, kept City out - the visitors didn't have an effort on target in the second half.

Reflecting on such a momentous day both personally and for the team, the determination to now kick on was palpable as Radu spoke to us exclusively at Hotspur Way after training on Tuesday.

Here's what he had to say...

Your first start in a over a year, Manchester City, Erling Haaland - how did it feel to be starting again in such a huge game?

Radu: "It's special. 
I was actually thinking, my last start when I got injured was over a year ago, which for me, it's just crazy to think about it. All this time just passed by and a year later, I'm back on the pitch, starting for Spurs. I was just so happy, I was enjoying every second of it. Obviously, in the end, we got the point, which was the most important thing after a difficult first half. We really showed our character, our mentality, we never stopped. We went into the second half, just thinking, 'we can do it, we can come back and even win it'. Like I said, we just showed our character and mentality, I'm really happy with it."

When you see the reaction in the stadium, the noise in the second half, that must have made you think, 'this is what I've missed'...

Radu: "I mean, honestly, when the fans are with us, everything is transformed into this electric atmosphere. It was amazing, especially after the second goal, the stadium just erupted. I missed this feeling, you know. 
It's something else once you on the pitch and you feel the fans from every single direction."

Tell us about the second half, the tactical switch, we were 2-0 down and it's City, Haaland - we need to chase the game, but it's a tightrope, isn't it?

Radu: "From what I understood, Cuti wasn’t feeling good and the gaffer decided to go with a back four in the second half and it worked out well for us in the end. Obviously, we want to win, but to make this comeback against City you should take pride in it."

Did you feel yourself growing into the game?

Radu: "Yeah, obviously, it's different from coming on as a substitute. 
I played five minutes, two minutes... then to start for 90 minutes, you have to find your rhythm again, which I did find in the end, obviously, difficult start, but like I said, we just kept on going and believing."

When you got home, you must have thought, 'I'm back'...

Radu: "I miss this feeling. 
It's been a long journey and I think that was the best way, you know, to end this journey of recovering and being fully back and helping the team in every way I can."

So, that's done, that journey? Draw the curtains on it?

Radu: "Yeah, a new chapter has begun for me, obviously. Like I say, I learned a lot from last year - and I'd really like to thank everyone who supported me in the last year, I'm really grateful for all the messages and support I received during this time. Now, I want to progress, learn even more and achieve amazing things with this team."

So... if this is a new chapter, the next pages are Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday - what do you think about that one?

Radu: "That's the next chapter, exactly. I mean, obviously always when you go away from home, it's going to be even more difficult, so we are expecting a difficult game, but we are confident and once we are focused, believing, anything can happen."