Conte calamity as Slov-enly Spurs lose to minnows
TOTTENHAM endured one of the most embarrassing nights in their history as they were beaten by the lowest-ranked team in the Europa Conference League, going down 2-1 to NS Mura in Maribor.
New boss Antonio Conte (below) watched on with horror as his side lost at the death to a team with a Uefa coefficient ranking of 341.
Despite being reduced to ten men just after the half-hour when Ryan Sessegnon was sent off, Spurs should have had enough to see off opposition who had lost their previous four games in the competition and are currently mid-table in the Slovenian league.
Instead they lost to Amadej Marosa’s stoppage-time goal after Harry Kane had earlier cancelled out Tomi Horvat’s shock opener.
The defeat means Spurs are likely to have to beat Rennes in their final game to be assured of qualification for the knockout stages and can no longer win Group G, meaning they will have to play an extra round. The night started in difficult fashion as Tottenham endured what are now customary troubles on their travels in Europe. Mura forged ahead in the 11th minute as Horvat was set free down the right. He took advantage of Davinson Sanchez’s slip and cut inside before curling a left-footed effort into the far corner.
Spurs were playing with no cohesion and inflicted more self-harm in the 32nd minute. This was Sessegnon’s chance to stake his claim under Conte but he had a night to forget as he picked up a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Ziga Kous and was sent off.
But Spurs eventually found a leveller in the 72nd minute as Kane produced a nice finish. Two Mura defenders left a Lucas Moura pass to each other, allowing the England captain to nip in and clip home.
The visitors pushed forward for a winner, with Moura drilling an effort over, but it was the Slovenians who capped an historic night.
Marosa was released down the right, he cut inside Sanchez and his deflected effort looped over Pierluigi Gollini to spark wild celebrations.