Hugo Lloris believes Tottenham’s Champions League comeback win over Marseille highlighted the rising character amongst his team-mates, however Paul Merson warns they can not maintain counting on fightbacks.
Antonio Conte’s facet grabbed an unlikely last-gasp 2-1 victory on the Stade Velodrome to achieve the Champions League final 16 as Group D winners after a nerve-jangling climax.
The Londoners, who wanted solely to keep away from defeat to undergo, endured a first-half siege and trailed to Chancel Mbemba’s header in stoppage time earlier than the break. Nonetheless, Clement Lenglet proved to be Tottenham’s saviour when he headed in his first aim for the membership within the 54th minute to degree.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg then sealed the victory in stoppage time to place Tottenham high of the group and go away Marseille, who at one stage of the night sat high, in fourth spot and out of Europe.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg celebrates a late winner
“To be sincere, we anticipated that sort of sport. The Stade Velodrome is a really tough place to take care of and I feel we confirmed nice character,” Lloris mentioned.
“Clement (Lenglet) scored a vital aim in France, in entrance of the French individuals. The second aim from Pierre (Hojbjerg) confirmed issues for the group. We did not play properly throughout the first half. Perhaps we did not know what would occur if we assault. It wasn’t good for us to play the sort of first half.
“We converse within the locker room – we begin the second half with way more character and aggressive. We play an excellent second half.
“It was a troublesome night time, a fantastic battle and much more psychological battle as a result of we might really feel within the first half a crew was taking part in with out the worry to lose, it was Marseille, and within the second half we face a crew with the worry to lose.”
Merson: Spurs via however should enhance
It was a outcome that hardly appeared potential within the opening 45 minutes as Spurs appeared dazed and confused by Marseille’s relentless onslaught.
Spurs, who misplaced ahead Heung-Min Son to a head harm in a torrid opening interval, have been a distinct proposition after the interval and took management after Lenglet’s equaliser. Hojbjerg struck the crossbar for the guests however Marseille ought to have scored late on when Sead Kolasinac someway missed an open aim with a header.
Sky Sports activities pundit Paul Merson believes Tottenham must enhance if they’re to progress any additional within the competitors having reached the last-16 stage.
“Spurs could not put three passes collectively within the first half,” Merson advised Soccer Particular. “As quickly as they began placing extra passes collectively the sport opened up for them they usually have been a menace. They managed the sport properly.
“Tottenham did very properly within the second half however once you get to the final 16 you possibly can’t maintain giving groups head begins. It would meet up with you earlier than later.
“When the shackles are off and the worry issue goes out of the sport, Spurs have some good gamers who can transfer the ball about in a short time. However they do not try this, they sit again. Kane was actually 35 yards from his personal aim within the first half. They did not have an outlet; they have to take an opportunity typically. It is too destructive for me.
“You’ll be able to’t maintain giving groups head begins. They have been lucky in a few video games like Bournemouth on Saturday and once more as we speak towards a mean crew in Marseille.”
Son ‘feeling higher’ however head harm to be assessed
Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son leaves the sector injured
Tottenham will wait till Wednesday to evaluate the extent of the harm suffered by Heung-Min Son within the Champions League win at Marseille.
The South Korean went off within the first half on the Stade Velodrome after a collision with Chancel Mbemba and appeared very wobbly as he left the pitch.
Spurs went on to e book their place within the final 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 win as second-half objectives from Clement Lenglet and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg overturned Mbemba’s first-half opener.
However the harm to Son is a fear, particularly with the Premier League conflict with Liverpool arising on Sunday, whereas he might have worries over the forthcoming World Cup.
Assistant head coach Cristian Stellini, standing in for the banned Antonio Conte, mentioned: “On this second we do not know. We have now to attend for a medical evaluation. Sonny feels higher now. I noticed him within the dressing room, he celebrated with us.
“On this second we do not know. We have now to attend for a medical evaluation and we’ve to attend till tomorrow.
Son leaves the sector halfway via the primary half
“We’re not positive if he’s concussed. It’s Son’s face. His eye is a bit swollen.”
Spurs’ place within the final 16 was not assured till Hojbjerg received it with the final kick of the sport to seal high spot in Group D.
With Marseille needing a win to undergo and a defeat knocking Spurs out, it was a night of jeopardy for the Premier League facet in a hostile setting in Provence.
Conte, who celebrates one yr in cost on Wednesday, was compelled to look at from the stands on account of his purple card after the VAR controversy towards Sporting Lisbon final week, which meant Tottenham’s qualification destiny went right down to the ultimate sport.
Lenglet celebrates after scoring at Marseille
And the Italian was put via the wringer as his facet produced a listless first-half efficiency, deservedly falling behind to Mbemba’s header.
The second half was a distinct story, although, and Lenglet put Spurs again in management with a header of his personal within the 54th minute.
However with Marseille needing only one aim to ship them out, it was a nervy night till Hojbjerg’s late intervention.
And it was not a night Conte loved.
Stellini added: “I had the chance to speak with Antonio. He was very drained. He lived the sport within the crowd, it isn’t regular.
“Perhaps he spent extra vitality within the stands than he usually spends on the touchline.
“It was very tough the primary half. Within the difficulties, we did not lose our minds. We stayed within the match. It was horrible the aim we conceded as a result of from a nook they took it rapidly and we weren’t ready.
“It is a crucial lesson for the longer term. However within the second half, one thing modified and we spoke within the dressing concerning the vitality we want within the second half and the best way we’ve to press them and counter the sport.
“In the sort of stadium and the sort of match, a knockout, it’s not very simple.
“The stadium was highly regarded within the first half and typically it’s regular to provide the chance to the opponent to play, to make use of the vitality you’ve got within the second half. It is also a technique.
“We have to attempt to play all of the 90 minutes in the identical degree.”
Which groups are already via to the final 16?
Hojbjerg celebrates his late winner in Marseille
- Bayern Munich*
- Benfica
- Chelsea*
- Membership Brugge
- Dortmund
- Frankfurt
- Inter Milan
- Liverpool
- Manchester Metropolis*
- Napoli*
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Porto*
- Actual Madrid
- Tottenham*
*signifies sides who will certainly be seeded within the last-16 draw
What’s next?
Sunday sixth November 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Tottenham have three extra fixtures forward of the World Cup. They face Liverpool on Tremendous Sunday this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm. They are going to then face Nottingham Forest within the Carabao Cup on Wednesday November 9 earlier than their last Premier League match towards Leeds on Saturday November 12; kick-off 3pm.
Marseille have two additional Ligue 1 fixtures forward of the break – they face Lyon on Sunday earlier than a visit to Monaco on Sunday November 13.
The draw for the final 16 of the Champions League might be held at 11am on Monday, November 7, on the Home of European Soccer at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland.
