da supremo： In front of 85,011, the highest ever home attendance for an English club, Spurs failed to do the business in their Champions League group opener against AS Monaco.
da stake casino： Mauricio Pochettino’s side were overcome by a Monaco outfit that might have expected more from a Tottenham outfit that had remained unbeaten until Wednesday evening.
Spurs fell agonisingly short of a first win at Wembley Stadium, being used due to White Hart Lane’s development but it’s clear supporters will need to see better if their team are to have any chance of progressing in the competition.
Spurs looked a little mediocre and sluggish at times in London and you’d expect them to be ruthlessly exposed by even better teams that AS Monaco, who, with all due respect, aren’t expected to push for the crown this year.
So with that in mind, why did Spurs struggle so much on their big day back in Europe?
Football Fancast author Hayden Atkins takes us through three reasons why Spurs struggled at Wembley…
Poor defending
It was less than a year ago to the day when we saw Spurs waltz past Monaco in the Europa League, as they beat the Ligue 1 side 4-1 at White Hart Lane.
But it down to anything you like but at Wembley, Spurs defending poorly for the two goals. Perhaps less so for Bernardo Silva’s goal but the marking and poor concentration levels were definitely the reason behind the goal scored by Lemar.
Spurs simply switched off and at this level, teams will expose you if you’re not anticipating what’s going on. A lesson in paying attention this one.
Kane struggles to find form again
Kane might have finally got on the scoresheet against Stoke City on Saturday but this game was a completely different nut to crack for Spurs.
Monaco were always going to be tight, making things difficult as they pressed the ball and it worked- and Kane rarely got a sniff. He lacked the confidence he showed when he was scoring for fun last season and even when he did get a decisive chance, he didn’t make the most of it at all.
A return to form can’t come quick enough for the England international, who has a lot of proving to do after such a jaded start to the campaign.
Getting other key players back and fighting fit
Spurs have got some fantastic players at the club but for all the attacking and defensive talent they do have on their books, one player that is constantly overlooked when it comes to praise is Mousa Dembele.
He came on as a substitute right at the start of the second half and already, Spurs looked more comfortable with the Belgian anchoring the midfield.
He’s been missing due to suspension but the quicker Pochettino can get him back to full-fitness, the better. This then gives Dele Alli a license to go forward, a role he’s looked far more comfortable in for both Spurs and England this season.