Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 3-0 Champions League win over Slavia Prague
Tottenham Hotspur climb the Champions League standings as Heung-min Son watches his old side sweep Slavia Prague away 3-0.
Let’s take a look at the three things we learned from the game:
Heung-min Son’s Tottenham return
If Tottenham want to get the crowd pumped up for a European night, they should invite Sonny back more often. Despite just a 47,000-strong attendance for the South Korean star’s homecoming, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium erupted when their latest legend stepped out onto the pitch.
By the time Son said, ‘I will always be Spurs’, it was already over for Slavia Prague. The unveiling of a brand-new mural, an emotional speech to the fans, followed by a confident 3-0 win. It doesn’t get much better than that in N17.
Xavi Simons looks more comfortable in a Tottenham shirt
It’s amazing what a goal or two can do for you. A week ago, Xavi Simons was miscontrolling, getting knocked off the ball, and running into brick walls. After his superb solo run against Brentford, he looked like a different player this evening.
Effortlessly dropping the shoulder and turning his markers, no matter how many Slavia threw at him, Simons looked consistently dangerous when running at the back four. That all culminated with a well-won penalty in the 79th minute, which he dispatched himself to make it 3-0. There are bigger tests to come, but Simons is looking easier on the eye with each passing game.
Wilson Odobert making left wing his own
By Thomas Frank’s own admission, Tottenham need someone to grab the left wing position by the scruff of the neck. Wilson Odobert may not have quite done that, but he’s definitely come the closest. Within 60 seconds of the game starting, the French U21 star had already bamboozled the Slavia right-back and put a cross on an absolute plate for Richarlison (only for him to miss it).
While Odobert didn’t quite reach those devastating heights all night long, the left flank looked far brighter than we have seen it in a while. That being said, Mathys Tel looked pretty impressive himself during his second-half cameo.
Cristian Romero is the best ball-playing centre-back in the world
The defensive test was not the most intense for Cristian Romero and co this evening, but the World Cup-winner always finds a way to stand out from the crowd. While his flick-on from the corner that resulted in Tottenham’s opening goal was important enough, it was the work Romero did with his feet that impressed fans most.
Not only did the Argentine pick out a perfect lob-through-ball to set Kudus through on goal, but he consistently broke the lines with some lung-busting runs through the heart of the pitch. Not many centre-backs in world football can do what Cristian Romero does with such remarkable strength, creativity, and guile. He has always been a fantastic defender, but now Spurs are starting to see the match-winner in their new captain.
Mohammed Kudus on Tottenham penalties
Despite Richarlison being on the pitch – the man who usually takes Tottenham penalties – the duty fell to Mohammed Kudus when Pedro Porro was hacked down at the start of the second half. It wasn’t the most in-depth study of the Ghanaian’s spot-kick ability as he simply tucked the ball down the middle, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on in future games.
Xavi Simons was also handed the second penalty over the likes of Mathys Tel, who has previously scored from the spot for Spurs. A confidence-builder, or a new set of takers for Thomas Frank?
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