JamieE1409
New Member
- Mar 14, 2021
- 6
- 3
Whilst Spurs were always favorites, both before and after the first leg, this tie would almost certainly put Mourinho’s men to the test. A team more than capable of causing an upset, Dinamo Zagreb possess plenty of quality. Miroslav Orsic, in particular, is a pacey winger who has a thunderous long-distance effort and is most certainly a threat for Tottenham on the night. Opposition aside, this draw would test just how professional this Spurs team is. In many previous games, the Lilywhite’s were synonymous with underestimating smaller teams and would result in them paying the price for it. Even this season, the likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brighton etc. have caused upsets against Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur go into this game on the back of a lacklustre performance against their bitter rivals. Sunday was the day of the North London Derby and this time round it was Arsenal to host. On the contrary, Zagreb go into this game after a thrilling 0-5 win away to Varazdin.
An attacking start from both teams, as expected for the home team, not so much from the away. Tottenham wanted that game killing goal. The players knew that one goal from Zagreb put them right back into the tie. Offensive play from the likes of Moura, Kane and those dangerous runs from Dele blatantly revealed the mindset of Jose’s men. However, there was certainly still a cautionary feel whenever Zagreb had the ball. Backing off and creating a deep, tight defence was Spurs’ approach to them. Whilst Tottenham wanted to attack, the players seemed fatigued. Some sloppy passing and many arms thrown up into the air populated the early stages of the game. Very average from the majority of the players. Harry Winks, on the other hand, clearly saw this game as a chance to revisit the first team and earn his place. High pressing and real aggression from the academy graduate was present from the whistle. Kane got a chance to show his power and athleticism following an enticing curved ball from Davies. The Spurs striker burst past his man and sat down the second. Unable to keep his balance, the chance went begging. This would lead to a concentrated period of attacking quality. Soon after, Dele threads Lamela through but a strong block from Kevin Theophile Catherine kept the opposition level. This passage of play clearly influenced the home team. Some liquid football and tidy passing began to create for the Croatian side. With 10 minutes from the break. Zagreb continued to push and would eventually find a promising break courtesy of their midfield maestro, Lovro Majer. The number 10 tried to play a teammate through. The ball ricocheted off of Sanchez after he cut out the pass and rolled straight back to Majer. A well struck ball fizzed past the Tottenham skipper’s right-hand post – Spurs desperately off the hook. The last few minutes were anything but plain sailing for the tie leaders; real end to end football with little time to reduce the tempo of the game.
As the second half began, we can only imagine that Jose had asked for a little bit more positivity from his players, they needed to look forward more often and play the ball progressively. A lack of aggression from Spurs saw the home team continue to grow in confidence and leave Tottenham on the back foot. Zagreb seemed to be overplaying, though, and whilst the one touch passes and flicks were aesthetically pleasing, they consistently overworked the move and killed the opportunity to deliver the blow. Winks constantly wanted to bring the ball forward and was growing frustrated with his teammates for the lack of movement or options when going forward. Despite being in and out of the team sheet and being linked with a move away in the winter, the midfielder looked like the captain on the night. Continuous talking, instructing and involvement were the foundations of what looked to be a promising performance for him. With half an hour left, Jose saw fit to change the personnel as Lamela made way for Gareth Bale in the coach’s first change a relatively quiet night for the Argentinian. Not long after, some sloppy play in the middle of the park from the North London outfit led to Zagreb breaking down their left flank. Orsic kept the ball tight, cut in on his right peg and unleashed a curled effort into the far top corner - the effort beating Lloris rather spectacularly. The goal not only brought the home team back into the tie but also brought confidence. Bodies flying forward and multiple chances arriving in the next couple minutes had Spurs on the ropes. After being pummelled with shots and bodies, Tottenham managed to gather the ball and allow themselves a chance to regain control. Mourinho made his second and third change with around 20 minutes to play. Tanguy Ndombele replacing Harry Winks and Dele Alli making way for the return of Giovanni Lo Celso. Lo Celso made an instant impact, Lucas Moura cutting it back and the Argentine letting fire a shot, deflected towards the bottom left corner but gathered by the goalkeeper. Not long after coming on, the two midfielders seemed to be playing off of each other. Both producing driving runs and little flicks and really begs the question of what if Winks remained on the pitch alongside them. To no avail, Zagreb continued to push for the equaliser. Sissoko, lost his man in midfield who spread it out to the right flank who then cut it back. The ball took a slight deflection from Dier and found its way to Orsic once again who fired home from point blank range. Action kept coming, though, as Gareth Bale picked out Harry Kane at the far post following a spectacular cross. The Englishman headed goalward but a last-ditch clearance off the line kept the game level. In Tottenham Hotspur fashion, the players began to really fight for that winning goal, the only question being – will it be left too late once again? The Zagreb box was being bombarded with crosses and yellow bodies. Three added minutes were allocated but they were not enough to provide an escape line for the boys from the lane. Extra time.
A huge job to do. A late decider or penalties were staring Jose Mourinho in the eyes. Reguilon being the first change of extra time replaced Davies. Zagreb started the first period of added time and an early booking for Stojanovic after a poor challenge on Sergio Reguilon. Another huge chance for Zagreb after Dier fails to close down the attacker and leaves Ndombele to do extremely well to clean up and not concede a penalty. Ndombele continued to impress, tireless defensive efforts and genuine intent to attack made him stand out in a fairly lacklustre performance. Bale forced a dive from the Zagreb ‘keeper after his effort went narrowly wide of the bottom right corner from distance. Tottenham had a real lack of cutting edge in the final third, the transition was often smooth but the first man was hit regularly when trying to cross or cut back. Still 2-0 at the break.
The second half began and almost instantly came a phenomenal run and thunderous effort from Orsic to complete one of the most incredible individual performances in the clubs history to further kill Tottenham’s hopes of progressing. The body language of the Spurs players showed the whole story. They looked defeated and finished. Zagreb maintained their quality and intent to attack and completely humiliate the men in yellow. Bergwijn is brought on by Mourinho in a late attempt to salvage anything from this game. Lo Celso picks out Bale in the penalty area quite brilliantly who takes on the shot first time but forces a good save and almost instantly after Bergwijn plays it across to Vinicius who scuffs his effort but finds Kane who takes on the shot but once again calls the Zagreb keeper into action with a spectacular scramble across the goal line. It did not look like it would be Tottenham’s night. 2 final minutes of stoppage time. Zagreb burst through on goal and try to take it around the Tottenham ‘keeper but Lloris does brilliantly to deny them. But it wasn’t enough. An embarrassing show kicks Spurs out of the Europa League.
An attacking start from both teams, as expected for the home team, not so much from the away. Tottenham wanted that game killing goal. The players knew that one goal from Zagreb put them right back into the tie. Offensive play from the likes of Moura, Kane and those dangerous runs from Dele blatantly revealed the mindset of Jose’s men. However, there was certainly still a cautionary feel whenever Zagreb had the ball. Backing off and creating a deep, tight defence was Spurs’ approach to them. Whilst Tottenham wanted to attack, the players seemed fatigued. Some sloppy passing and many arms thrown up into the air populated the early stages of the game. Very average from the majority of the players. Harry Winks, on the other hand, clearly saw this game as a chance to revisit the first team and earn his place. High pressing and real aggression from the academy graduate was present from the whistle. Kane got a chance to show his power and athleticism following an enticing curved ball from Davies. The Spurs striker burst past his man and sat down the second. Unable to keep his balance, the chance went begging. This would lead to a concentrated period of attacking quality. Soon after, Dele threads Lamela through but a strong block from Kevin Theophile Catherine kept the opposition level. This passage of play clearly influenced the home team. Some liquid football and tidy passing began to create for the Croatian side. With 10 minutes from the break. Zagreb continued to push and would eventually find a promising break courtesy of their midfield maestro, Lovro Majer. The number 10 tried to play a teammate through. The ball ricocheted off of Sanchez after he cut out the pass and rolled straight back to Majer. A well struck ball fizzed past the Tottenham skipper’s right-hand post – Spurs desperately off the hook. The last few minutes were anything but plain sailing for the tie leaders; real end to end football with little time to reduce the tempo of the game.
As the second half began, we can only imagine that Jose had asked for a little bit more positivity from his players, they needed to look forward more often and play the ball progressively. A lack of aggression from Spurs saw the home team continue to grow in confidence and leave Tottenham on the back foot. Zagreb seemed to be overplaying, though, and whilst the one touch passes and flicks were aesthetically pleasing, they consistently overworked the move and killed the opportunity to deliver the blow. Winks constantly wanted to bring the ball forward and was growing frustrated with his teammates for the lack of movement or options when going forward. Despite being in and out of the team sheet and being linked with a move away in the winter, the midfielder looked like the captain on the night. Continuous talking, instructing and involvement were the foundations of what looked to be a promising performance for him. With half an hour left, Jose saw fit to change the personnel as Lamela made way for Gareth Bale in the coach’s first change a relatively quiet night for the Argentinian. Not long after, some sloppy play in the middle of the park from the North London outfit led to Zagreb breaking down their left flank. Orsic kept the ball tight, cut in on his right peg and unleashed a curled effort into the far top corner - the effort beating Lloris rather spectacularly. The goal not only brought the home team back into the tie but also brought confidence. Bodies flying forward and multiple chances arriving in the next couple minutes had Spurs on the ropes. After being pummelled with shots and bodies, Tottenham managed to gather the ball and allow themselves a chance to regain control. Mourinho made his second and third change with around 20 minutes to play. Tanguy Ndombele replacing Harry Winks and Dele Alli making way for the return of Giovanni Lo Celso. Lo Celso made an instant impact, Lucas Moura cutting it back and the Argentine letting fire a shot, deflected towards the bottom left corner but gathered by the goalkeeper. Not long after coming on, the two midfielders seemed to be playing off of each other. Both producing driving runs and little flicks and really begs the question of what if Winks remained on the pitch alongside them. To no avail, Zagreb continued to push for the equaliser. Sissoko, lost his man in midfield who spread it out to the right flank who then cut it back. The ball took a slight deflection from Dier and found its way to Orsic once again who fired home from point blank range. Action kept coming, though, as Gareth Bale picked out Harry Kane at the far post following a spectacular cross. The Englishman headed goalward but a last-ditch clearance off the line kept the game level. In Tottenham Hotspur fashion, the players began to really fight for that winning goal, the only question being – will it be left too late once again? The Zagreb box was being bombarded with crosses and yellow bodies. Three added minutes were allocated but they were not enough to provide an escape line for the boys from the lane. Extra time.
A huge job to do. A late decider or penalties were staring Jose Mourinho in the eyes. Reguilon being the first change of extra time replaced Davies. Zagreb started the first period of added time and an early booking for Stojanovic after a poor challenge on Sergio Reguilon. Another huge chance for Zagreb after Dier fails to close down the attacker and leaves Ndombele to do extremely well to clean up and not concede a penalty. Ndombele continued to impress, tireless defensive efforts and genuine intent to attack made him stand out in a fairly lacklustre performance. Bale forced a dive from the Zagreb ‘keeper after his effort went narrowly wide of the bottom right corner from distance. Tottenham had a real lack of cutting edge in the final third, the transition was often smooth but the first man was hit regularly when trying to cross or cut back. Still 2-0 at the break.
The second half began and almost instantly came a phenomenal run and thunderous effort from Orsic to complete one of the most incredible individual performances in the clubs history to further kill Tottenham’s hopes of progressing. The body language of the Spurs players showed the whole story. They looked defeated and finished. Zagreb maintained their quality and intent to attack and completely humiliate the men in yellow. Bergwijn is brought on by Mourinho in a late attempt to salvage anything from this game. Lo Celso picks out Bale in the penalty area quite brilliantly who takes on the shot first time but forces a good save and almost instantly after Bergwijn plays it across to Vinicius who scuffs his effort but finds Kane who takes on the shot but once again calls the Zagreb keeper into action with a spectacular scramble across the goal line. It did not look like it would be Tottenham’s night. 2 final minutes of stoppage time. Zagreb burst through on goal and try to take it around the Tottenham ‘keeper but Lloris does brilliantly to deny them. But it wasn’t enough. An embarrassing show kicks Spurs out of the Europa League.
