Why Tottenham Hotspur should be feared by the European giants
Tottenham Hotspur have often been talked about as perennial underachievers in recent years given the list of star names, including Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld at their disposal.
Whilst Spurs have continued to move forward, since Mauricio Pochettino became manager in May 2014, making it to the League Cup final in 2015 and finishing second in the Premier League last year they are still without a trophy.
With interest around several Tottenham players a cause for concern during each of the previous transfer windows Pochettino will be fully aware that silverware in a major competition, like the Champions League, would provide the perfect remedy.
At the start the London club were being tipped by many as the team that might struggle the most out of all the English representatives. Given their lack of experience in the competition (their first involvement was back in 2010–11) and the way they crashed out so quickly last year it was understandable why they might find it difficult. On top of that they were handed the toughest possible start, being drawn in the ‘group of death’ alongside defending champions Real Madrid and Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund.
When those two names were picked out you could just imagine the look of sheer worry etched on Pochettino’s face, wondering what on earth he had done to deserve such a massive challenge so early on in the tournament.
What a pleasant surprise the Argentinian was treated to then after his side put in a stunning display to blow Dortmund away on the first match day. The result drew further raised eyebrows as it was their first competitive victory of the new campaign at Wembley.
There were already clear indicators on that autumnal September night as to how much Spurs had progressed since their last Champions League foray. The home side had made the best possible start to the match but were pegged back just seven minutes later. Instead of becoming unnerved like what happened after falling 2–0 down to Monaco during their opening Champions League match last season, they maintained great composure, allowing them to play to their full potential and ultimately gain the three points.
Harry Kane’s continued development into one of English football’s best big-game players also had a huge hand in Tottenham making the right start. Given the pressure of facing a formidable opponent like Dortmund, who finished runners-up just five years ago and the previous results at Wembley it was amazing to see how focused and clinical the 24-year-old was. This was a trait which was demonstrated on numerous occasions, playing a key role in helping his side brush aside Real Madrid in one of the great European nights for Spurs whilst also leading the comeback away to Dortmund.
Showing that they are mentally equipped to deal with any challenge was on full view again the other night in Turin as they battled back valiantly after falling 2–0 behind inside 10 minutes.
Whilst Kane proved to be a pivotal part once again, lifting the whole team when he pulled a goal back, the entire Spurs side kept their cool and ultimately scored two massive away goals.
Once again this was a game which had the utmost potential to overawe Spurs, but they appeared totally unfazed by Juventus’ recent record at the Allianz Stadium — the Serie A last conceded a goal at home against Benevento in November last year.
Tottenham have a real very chance of progressing to the quarter-final when the two sides meet again and it isn’t ridiculous to suggest the rest of the competition will be watching the English club very carefully.
If a team can continue to be so assured in their play whilst facing numerous setbacks, like they’ve done throughout this Champions League campaign, they will prove a dangerous proposition for any of their European rivals.
For all of the interest around their star men after so many seasons without a trophy this could be the year where we see Spurs slip under the radar and claim the biggest prize of all.
