Nuno frustrated as ‘terrible’ casualty list takes toll
SO MUCH for this being a third-rate tournament no one cared about, with teams no one has heard of. try telling that to Rennes, and to Nuno espirito santo, whose tottenham squad hobbled across the Channel already depleted and limped home even more battered and bruised. Not beaten, but safe in the knowledge that thursday evenings might not be much fun. this europa Conference League might have legs, you know. spurs did not help themselves — again they lacked invention and guile. they were second best to a Rennes side who rose to this opening night, but who, let’s not forget, are 11th in Ligue 1. together with their supporters, Rennes created a fierce atmosphere in which spurs nearly wilted. Only Pierre-emile Hojbjerg’s late equaliser stopped this punishing evening being compounded by a humiliating defeat. already without son Heung-min, eric Dier and Ryan sessegnon through injury, spurs lost steven Bergwijn and Lucas moura. ‘It’s been terrible, it feels really bad,’ said Nuno, who is unsure if either will be fit for sunday. ‘everything that has happened since the Watford game has not been good for us. But this is football and it is a moment we have to overcome. It will make us stronger for the future.’ at least it is only Chelsea. Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Davinson sanchez cannot return from their Croatian naughty step quickly enough. and to think after Loic Bade’s early own goal, this looked to be a straightforward evening. Instead, Rennes turned the game round through Flavien tait and Gaetan Laborde before Hojbjerg’s late rescue act. Rennes’ ultras gave spurs a deafening welcome with Brittany’s version of Land of My Fathers and then unfurled a banner on their ‘Celtic Kop’ — one of several nods to the region’s heritage. ‘are you ready to fight?’ it asked. Luckily Nuno picked a strong side, led by Harry Kane and including tanguy Ndombele. On his first start since april, the Frenchman provided some spark and helped create the opener. Hounded towards the touchline, Ndombele tried a backheel which sent him tumbling but still reached Oliver skipp. He fed Kane, who found moura and his effort was diverted in. But Rennes would not roll over. they had several efforts before tait curled past Pierluigi Gollini from the edge of the box. thereafter, the first half was painful viewing. spurs lost Bergwijn — only just back from injury — after half an hour and were thankful to be level at the break. they regained a foothold and Ndombele almost created a second after a neat one-two with Kane, but was denied by keeper Romain salin. But with 19 minutes left Rennes took the lead, Laborde turning the ball home after Gollini’s save from Kamaldeen sulemana fell his way. Fortunately for spurs, matt Doherty’s cross deflected kindly to Hojbjerg, who equalised.
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Gollini 5; Doherty 6, Tanganga 6, Rodon 6, Davies 6; Ndombele 6 (Alli 79), Skipp 6; Lucas 6 (Royal 54), Bergwijn 5 (Hojbjerg 30), Gil 6; Kane 6 (Scarlett 54). Booked: Gil.Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo 6.Referee: Halis Ozkahya (Turkey).