Five images that summed up Tottenham’s midweek Wembley adventure
Pictures say 1000 words, or so they say. One image can tell the tale of a moment, ask endless questions and provoke long debates. Tottenham will rarely play quite as poorly as they did against Bayer Leverkusen, as their game was shackled by the German team pressing, disjointing their own efforts to harry the opposition high up the pitch.
Mauricio Pochettino will certainly have plenty to say about that performance, having witnessed his side so shaken for the entirety of the match. His substitutions could only do so much, particularly as almost every single player was playing below the required standard for such a tough opponent.
Leverkusen’s own poor domestic form has done little to stop their dominance of Spurs, with the Germans taking four points from their two games and entrenching themselves as the favourites for qualification, along with AS Monaco.
Now heading into a North London derby weekend, Spurs’ season could begin to unravel. Momentum is near non-existent after a run of abysmal results and the side looks worryingly short of ideas with the ball.
Nonetheless, Wednesday night’s heartache made for some brilliant photographs.
Second Home
Spurs’ second match at Wembley this season and its not even the second half of the campaign yet.
That is, of course, because the national stadium is their Champions League home and the Lilywhites’ fans made a special effort to create a hostile atmosphere before kick-off.
Injury Woes
Having been without Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld of late, the last thing Mauricio Pochettino needed was another one of his successful spine from last season injured.
The rock in their midfield and ball retention king, Mousa Dembele, went off injured during the first half, prompting a change in approach for Spurs.
Get up, Dele
Felled in the penalty area, Dele Alli was aghast when the referee did not award him a spot kick.
Vincent Janssen was on the pitch, too, so it would’ve been the perfect opportunity to produce his party piece. Alli was a figure of anger for his perceived dive, but there was the slightest of contact – which could have seen the referee make a favourable decision for the former MK Dons man.
Summed it up
The way that Spurs conceded the opening goal to Kevin Kampl perfectly summed up their woe on Wednesday night.
As the ball clipped off the foot of a Spurs defender to fall to an unmarked Kampl, there was a sweeping silence across Wembley amid the realisation that their team are on the brink of another season in the Europa League.
Mountain to climb
Tottenham’s Champions League fate is now out of their hands. A glum Wembley perfectly reflected the mood of the players, who looked utterly dejected after a dire display.
A victory in Monaco is needed for Spurs to have any realistic chance of qualification and that looks a distant possibility after Wednesday’s performance.