Spurs signal a turnaround in form
– Tottenham’s improbable roller-coaster run to the club’s first Champions League final last season has masked a steady decline in results for Mauricio Pochettino’s men stretching back to February.
The tension, emotion and elation of the late drama, that saw Spurs past Manchester City in the quarterfinals and Ajax in the lastfour will live long in the memory.
But having fallen short in the final against Liverpool, Pochettino (right) remains without a trophy after five seasons in charge.
That does not diminish the impact the Argentine has had in transforming Tottenham from Europa League regulars to Champions League contenders.
Yet, it may well be that the window for this Spurs squad to win the Champions League closed with defeat to Liverpool on June 1.
A kinder draw this time sees Spurs travel to Olympiakos today, with Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade to come in Group B.
They should be confident of progress to the last-16 for a thirdstraight season, but their form over the past seven months means they can take little for granted.
Prior to undoubtedly their best performance of the season so far, a 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace last Saturday, Spurs had mustered just 16 points from their last 16 Premier League games.
Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon have bolstered the squad, although all three have suffered injury problems. Harry Kane is back fit. The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is beginning to feel like home.
However the futures of Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen – in the final year of their contracts – has cast a cloud.
“I think it showed that the team was unsettled,” said Pochettino. “I’m not complaining or blaming anyone, but the focus wasn’t on playing football...”
A dismantling of Palace in the first 45 minutes last Saturday provides hope they have one more chance of realistically competing for trophies ahead.
“If we show that intensity in all our games for sure we are going to fight for big things. This is the first step of the season.” – AFP