EURO TRASH
Spurs crash out after horror show . . . but United beat Milan
JOSE MOURINHO said his Tottenham players had failed ‘at the basics of life’ after they crashed out of the Europa League at Dinamo Zagreb last night. Spurs had led 2-0 from the first leg of the last-16 tie before Mislav Orsic scored twice to take the game to extra-time and then netted an 106th-minute winner. Elsewhere, Manchester United made it into today’s quarter-final and semi-final draws as Paul Pogba’s goal gave them a 2-1 aggregate win at AC Milan.
REMEMBEr that thing they used to call Spursiness? They mostly being gloating Arsenal supporters, of course, but others too because of Tottenham’s ability to conjure a defeat in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Well, it’s back. Back with a vengeance, in fact, as they produced a feeble surrender and shock European exit against a team in the throes of genuine crisis, just days after boss Zoran Mamic quit to serve a jail term.
Spurs crumbled in Croatia, sent crashing out of the Europa League at the last-16 stage despite taking a 2-0 lead to Zagreb from the first leg. ‘Diabolical,’ groaned Glenn Hoddle on BT Sport. ‘Disastrous,’ added Peter Crouch.
Jose Mourinho had warned this contest was not over at the halfway stage but such prescience is unlikely to spare him a barrage of criticism from a fanbase beginning to wonder where this revolution is going. He was meant to be the manager who restored a winning mentality in a place where they have forgotten how to win, and reacquainted them with trophies. This particular prize was a prime target.
Mourinho has had his hands on it twice in the past, and it comes with the added value of a route back into the Champions League. That feels like a very distant competition in the wake of Zagreb. Spurs are seventh in the Premier League ahead of a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday. They are out of the FA Cup and face Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup, where victory will lead them into the UEFA’s new third-tier of competition, the Europa Conference League, next season. Spurs are still in reverse.
The damage last night was done by a brilliant hat-trick from Mislav Orsic who scored two wonderful goals in the second half and an even-better third in extra-time, carrying the ball deep into Spurs territory before driving the ball low past Hugo Lloris.
Tottenham summoned a late flurry of activity. Dinamo keeper Dominik Livakovic made two late fine saves to deny Harry Kane. An away goal would have swung the tie and sent Spurs through but they could not find a way back.
They started slowly and were unable to lift the tempo out of their pedestrian rhythm. At the same time, they were fragile at the back, offering little resistance once their hosts bristled with momentum. Spurs were without Son Heung-min Son, who was injured, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was serving a ban, but preparations must have been a breeze for Mourinho and his staff compared to those in the Dinamo dugout.
Mamic, head coach in the first leg, resigned ahead of the return after Croatia’s Supreme Court confirmed a jail sentence of four years and eight months for fraud as part of the embezzlement of millions from the club.
Damir Krznar, a long- serving former player at the club, stepped up from his role as assistant and the Croatian champions made life uncomfortable for the visitors. Lovro Majer ought to have scored during a spell of first-half pressure.
Majer was presented with the chance when his pass struck Davinson Sanchez and rebounded kindly but he dragged a low shot wide from 15 yards. Sanchez made a sliding interception inside his own penalty area to thwart Arijan Ademi.
Tottenham, meanwhile, wasted decent early chances to close the tie. There was an air-shot in front of goal from Dele Alli while former Cardiff defender Kevin TheophileCatherine blocked an effort by Erik Lamela. Dinamo improved after the break and continued to cause problems. Captain Ademi, unmarked from a corner, headed straight at Lloris, a sweet strike by Orsic crashed into Sanchez and Bruno Petkovic curled over from an acute angle. Orsic tested Spurs’s nerves when he found the top corner with a great goal, cutting inside Serge Aurier from the left and beating Lloris with a swerving drive. Dinamo took heart and went after the equaliser. Mourinho made changes, reinforcing his team with Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, back for his first appearance after three months out with a hamstring injury. Alli and Harry Winks made way, stoney-faced. Lo Celso made an instant impact, forcing a save from Livakovic.
The Croatians deserved the reward when Orsic darted away from Moussa Sissoko to score his second of the night, converting a cross from Iyayi Atiemwen with a crisp strike, in the 83rd minute.
Somewhat belatedly, Spurs acquired a sense of urgency as the contest descended into chaos. A header by Kane from a Bale cross was cleared off the line but Dinamo forced extra-time.
Bale fizzed wide from 25 yards but at the other end Orsic completed his hat-trick with a spectacular solo goal. Lloris might have done better but the same could have been said for all those who travelled from London to Zagreb.
This was a dismal way to go out of Europe.