Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s Champions League exit

Tottenham Hotspur are out of the Champions League after drawing 0-0 at home to AC Milan last night (1-0 on aggregate). Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:  So Easy –  It appeared for large parts that Spurs were having a lot of the ball and were taking control of the game, […]

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Tottenham Hotspur are out of the Champions League after drawing 0-0 at home to AC Milan last night (1-0 on aggregate). Let’s take a look at the five things we learned: 

(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

So Easy – 

It appeared for large parts that Spurs were having a lot of the ball and were taking control of the game, particularly in the first half. In truth, I think Milan were not at all afraid of what Tottenham had planned for them. They seemed confident, and rightly so, that they could sit back and defend, put in some 7 out of 10 performances, and walk away with a clean sheet. And that’s exactly what happened.

Romero Red – 

Romero has been Tottenham’s best defender for the past couple of years, but that makes two red cards in the past month for the centre-back. To be honest, I think he would calm down a little if you put some fellow high-level defenders next to him. I feel like he loses patience at times when Spurs are playing poorly. But, at the same time, you need a player who can keep a level head through thick and thin in the Premier League, and he needs to improve on that.

Conte Gone – 

I am predicting that this is the final nail in the Conte coffin. Even if he stays until the end of the season, this is the point where I think everyone has checked out. The fans no longer believe. The players have no trophy to play for. And Conte clearly has one foot out the door. Is it time to just pull the trigger and move early for whoever is next?

Danjuma Confusion – 

Tottenham are essentially 1-0 down and need a goal to send the game to extra time. Richarlison and Pedro Porro have already been sent on. Who comes next? Surely Danjuma or maybe even Lucas Moura. Nope. Davinson Sanchez. Yes, I know Romero had just been sent off, but Spurs needed a goal and taking off Kulusevski for a centre-back just felt so pointless. What must Danjuma think of all these unused bench appearances?

Out Of Form – 

When you look across the consistent starting XI for in-form players who have played well throughout the season, you can honestly count them on one hand. Kane has scored plenty of goals while feeding off scraps. Bentancur was world-class and carried the team. Romero has been good between the silly red cards. Skipp has looked solid since coming in. Hojbjerg has been very good when next to Bentancur. But that really is about it. For the first time ever, Spurs have stacked their front line with five or six class options, and literally everyone apart from Kane is misfiring.

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