Former Tottenham player labels Roma incident as 'ridiculous' | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur came away from their Europa League clash against Roma with a bittersweet 2-2 draw.

Ange Postecoglou’s side, fresh off a stunning victory over Manchester City, hoped to carry their momentum forward but were denied a win by a late goal from Mats Hummels.

Son Heung-Min gave Spurs an early lead from the penalty spot, only for Evan Ndicka to equalise shortly after.

Former Tottenham player labels Roma incident as 'ridiculous'

Tottenham Hotspur v AS Roma - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 / Danehouse Photography Ltd/GettyImages

Brennan Johnson restored the advantage for the North London side with a superb first-time finish, assisted by Dejan Kulusevski.

But in the dying moments, Hummels struck to leave Tottenham lamenting what could have been.

While the result was frustrating, attention turned to Dejan Kulusevski, whose performance highlighted both his potential and areas for growth.

Kulusevski was instrumental in Tottenham’s attacking play, providing his second assist in as many matches.

The Swedish international showed flashes of brilliance, with his pinpoint cross setting up Johnson for Tottenham’s second goal. However, his evening wasn’t without controversy.

In the 28th minute, Kulusevski received a yellow card after an altercation with Leandro Paredes.

According to Tottenham News, the Spurs midfielder pushed the Roma player to the ground in an incident described as “ridiculous” by Glenn Hoddle, who was commentating for TNT Sports.

Such moments of petulance could prove costly in future matches, especially as Tottenham are already struggling with injuries and suspensions.

Statistically, Kulusevski delivered a mixed performance. He completed 75% of his passes, including two key opportunities, and even struck the woodwork with a well-taken shot.

However, he won just three of his 10 duels, misplaced three out of four crosses, and lost possession 21 times. Despite these shortcomings, his creativity remains vital to Postecoglou’s system.

Postecoglou’s dilemma

With injuries depleting Tottenham’s attacking options, Postecoglou has leaned heavily on Kulusevski in recent weeks.

While his contribution cannot be understated, the manager will need to address his temperament and decision-making to ensure the Swede continues to thrive.

Spurs fans remain hopeful as they prepare for their next Premier League clash against Fulham. If Kulusevski can build on his positives and iron out his flaws, Tottenham’s Europa League ambitions might still stay on track.

One thing is clear: the Swede’s impact is undeniable, but refining his game will be crucial for the busy weeks ahead.