Tottenham's performance against Copenhagen was a rollercoaster of emotions, with standout performances and moments of frustration. Let's dive into the player ratings and dissect the key takeaways!
Here's how Standard Sport assessed the Spurs squad...
Guglielmo Vicario (7): A relatively calm evening for the goalkeeper, especially after his recent heroic displays. He confidently handled crosses and made four routine saves, showcasing his composure.
Pedro Porro (8): Porro's game included some delightful crossfield passes to the left wing. He set up two excellent chances for Richarlison, visibly frustrated when they weren't converted.
Cristian Romero (8): Romero was a positive force on the ball, delivering passes that broke through the lines to Simons. He was also quick to cover for his teammates' mistakes, leading the team with determination.
Micky van de Ven (9): A RIDICULOUS PLAYER! Van de Ven's performance was nothing short of spectacular. His goal, a run almost the length of the pitch, was a Puskas-worthy moment, single-handedly restoring calm after a red card. This performance really stands out.
Destiny Udogie (7): Udogie started strong, combining well with Odobert, making Spurs' left wing a constant threat. He faded slightly later in the game, understandably due to a lack of recent match time.
Rodrigo Bentancur (8): A pressing machine, full of energy after recent criticism. He was composed on the ball and improved his passing.
Pape Matar Sarr (7): Sarr had a slow start but grew into the game. He thrived when Spurs went down to ten men, seemingly relishing the extra running required. Much improved performance.
Brennan Johnson (7): Johnson was clinical when his chance came, driving well with the ball before receiving a harsh straight red card. He certainly made a case for a starting spot against Manchester United.
Xavi Simons (8): Simons delivered a superb first-half performance, excelling in the space Copenhagen offered. He should have had three assists. Unfortunate to be sacrificed after Johnson's red card.
Wilson Odobert (8): Odobert was the best of Spurs' options on the left, running directly and constantly threatening down the left. He scored a goal to double Spurs’ lead.
Randal Kolo Muani (7): Muani had a wasteful display, missing two huge chances before the break. However, he provided a stunning assist for Odobert's goal. He was a handful up front.
Substitutes:
Joao Palhinha (Simons 61’) (8): He helped secure the lead and then extended it, bursting forward to support the attack. A superb cameo.
Richarlison (Kolo Muani 72’) (4): He hit the bar with a header and missed a penalty. A ruthless striker would have scored both.
Djed Spence (Udogie 72’) (6): Given minutes off the bench after a knock. Showed a couple of decent bursts down the left.
Kevin Danso (Romero 72’) (6): Cruised through the final 20 minutes with Copenhagen offering no attacking threat.
Dane Scarlett (Odobert 80’) (7): Scarlett won the penalty, which he clearly wanted to take. Really impressive in his first minutes of the season.
But here's where it gets controversial... Van de Ven's performance was extraordinary, but was it enough to overshadow the other players' contributions? And this is the part most people miss... The impact of the substitutes, especially Palhinha and Scarlett, often gets overlooked.
What do you think? Did the ratings accurately reflect the players' performances? Were there any standout moments or players you feel were underrated or overrated? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
