Hotspurs Edge Villarreal in Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur marked their return to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Villarreal on Tuesday, 16 September, though concerns remain about their European prospects.
Thomas Frank – who is managing in the UCL for the first time – saw his side gifted an early lead when Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior spilled Lucas Bergvall’s cross into his own net after just four minutes, Spurs’ fastest goal in the tournament’s history.
Despite the dream start at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, the hosts failed to build momentum. Richarlison missed a header to extend the lead, while Villarreal grew more bold as the game played on.
Spurs defender Micky van de Ven narrowly avoided dismissal after dragging down Georges Mikautadze, a Video Assistant Referee check confirming the foul was outside the box.
Frank admitted his team must sharpen their attack, explaining during the post-match interview: “Offensively, we struggled to create something … we will raise that level.”
Bergvall praised his manager’s influence, calling him “fresh air” and crediting the squad’s new “clean sheet mentality”.
Pundits, Troy Deeney and Adrian Durham, were less forgiving. Deeney commented that Spurs can expect to “struggle” in the UCL group phase should they maintain their current level of play, while Durham criticised the club’s misplaced “arrogance”.
Spurs remain unbeaten in the European tournament at home, yet sterner tests lie ahead.
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