There is a quirk of cruelty about sending Tottenham again to the Metropolitano for the primary time proper now, rekindling glories of their current previous on the time when the actually must be buckling down in a struggle to flee relegation.
As if somebody at UEFA has acquired a darkish sense of humour. Not seven years have handed since Spurs performed Liverpool within the Champions League remaining on the dwelling of Atletico Madrid.
Not solely the high-water mark of the Mauricio Pochettino period, additionally the start of the tip for him and high of a steep decline. This fixture is a brutal reminder of how far they’ve slid and how briskly.
Pochettino was fired inside six months, and in fact the descent was underway earlier than that night time of tears within the Spanish capital by the hands of Liverpool. Aside from final 12 months’s Europa League triumph, nevertheless, six-and-a-half years since that remaining has been one thing of a multitude.
5 everlasting managers have had a crack at since Pochettino’s exit however Spurs return to the Metropolitano for this Champions League tie underneath the management of Igor Tudor, who recorded three defeats in his first three video games and whose interim tenure has a whiff of Cristian Stellini about it.
Stellini survived solely 4 video games, sacked after a humiliating 6-1 defeat at Newcastle in April 2023 and all of it appeared like excessive farce on the time.
Igor Tudor stated Tottenham’s major focus was the Premier League conflict at Liverpool on Sunday
Spurs although, have been sitting fifth within the Premier League when Ryan Mason was summoned for the second time from his backroom duties to steer them over the road. These heady heights have pale shortly into the space.
They’re fifth from the underside and solely a degree above the relegation zone with 9 to play.
It’s tough to work out if the Champions League is welcome respite from the distress of 11 video games with out a win within the Premier League or an pointless distraction from the essential enterprise of not happening.
Tudor views it as one thing of a bonus, each a uncommon free hit by way of repercussions and an opportunity to work competitively on issues forward of Sunday at Liverpool.
‘Our first goal is Premier League and this must be stated publicly,’ stated the interim boss. ‘That does not imply we do not need to go to the subsequent spherical.
‘Each recreation is necessary. Now we have to develop so it may be a possibility. A very totally different competitors towards a workforce with Champions League historical past, expertise and high quality.
‘Possibly this might help us to see the issues now we have. These sorts of video games might help us to change in the fitting manner, develop as a workforce, do issues higher.’
Spurs have managed to shed their Premier League issues in Europe this season, shedding solely considered one of eight within the opening section of Champions League video games to qualify for the final 16 in fourth.
A optimistic show towards Atletico may simply encourage and restore some perception. One other heavy defeat, nevertheless, towards a workforce who’re third in Spain’s La Liga and have scored 15 of their final 4 dwelling video games will do nothing for his or her fragile confidence.
Spurs are leaky, conceding 9 in Tudor’s three video games towards Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
‘We by no means like shedding,’ stated Pedro Porro when requested about his tantrum on the bench after being changed towards Palace. ‘We at all times need to do our greatest and the previous few weeks haven’t gone our manner, they haven’t gone as we anticipated and we simply must preserve going till the tip and do one of the best we are able to.’
That is some excellent news for Tudor within the form of defensive reinforcements.
Cristian Romero, who has been serving a four-match ban in home soccer, is obtainable for the primary time since earlier than Thomas Frank’s sacking a month in the past to play towards a workforce with whom he has been linked within the switch market.
Micky van de Ven, despatched off towards Crystal Palace on Thursday and set to overlook Sunday’s recreation at Liverpool by means of suspension, can play in Europe. And defenders Radu Dragusin, who didn’t play towards Palace, and Djed Spence, who has missed the final two with a calf harm, are each again.
Spurs are battling for survival however have reached the final 16 of the Champions League
‘To have the gamers coming again is necessary,’ stated Tudor. ‘For the primary time since I got here right here, we may have gamers accessible for all positions in defence within the positions they normally play.’
On Romero, who has lengthy been a switch goal for Atletico, he added: ‘I’m blissful to have him again. He missed rather a lot and has not been feeling good that he was not capable of assist the workforce. He has been working rather a lot, doing separate operating classes with the health coach. I am certain he might be a pacesetter as at all times.’
Tudor confirmed Richarlison will begin for the primary time since he took the job. Yves Bissouma and Souza are usually not within the UEFA squad.
Conor Gallagher, signed for £35million from Atletico in January, is obtainable to play towards his former membership at a venue the place his final look got here instead in a win towards Valencia in December.
‘Very humble, very harmful,’ stated Diego Simeone, now into his fifteenth 12 months as Atletico boss, when requested about Gallagher. ‘Can play totally different positions on the pitch. Large work ethic. He has nice behaviour and now we have excellent recollections of his spell at Atletico Madrid.’
