athletico madrid hosts Tottenham in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday and interim manager Igor Tudor says the club’s first aim remains Premier League survival. Tudor made the point publicly after three defeats in his opening three matches left Spurs one point above the relegation zone. The tie is also a chance, he added, to try different solutions with several defensive players returning.
Expanding details
Tudor’s tenure began after Thomas Frank was sacked last month and Tottenham conceded nine goals in his first three games in charge, leaving the club precariously close to the drop. European form has been stronger: the side earned automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16 and now travel for the first leg at the Estadio Metropolitano. Tudor said: “Our first aim is the Premier League – this is something that needs to be said publicly. ” He added that the Champions League “is something extra, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to pass and don’t want to go to the next round. “
Availability has shifted the selection picture. Cristian Romero returns from suspension and is expected to lead the defence; Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin are back in the matchday group; Richarlison is named to start after coming off the bench in Tudor’s early matches. Antonin Kinsky will make his Champions League debut in goal for Tottenham in this fixture.
- Tottenham starting XI: Kinsky, Danso, Richarlison, Tel, Gray, Romero (c), Pedro Porro, Spence, Sarr, van de Ven, Kolo Muani.
- Atletico starting XI: Oblak (c), Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman, Alvarez, Griezmann.
Immediate reactions: Athletico Madrid tie
Igor Tudor, interim manager of Tottenham, framed the match as both an opportunity and a challenge: “[A] totally different mentality aspect can be used in this kind of game, so maybe this can help us see which problems we have, and to switch the right way. ” He stressed growth and focus on the squad: “We need to do our best in terms that we need to grow. “
Pedro Porro, Tottenham full-back, defended the mood within the playing group and downplayed a recent on-field reaction to a substitution, insisting the incident “was not about the coach” and expressing confidence that Tudor “is 100% on the right path. ” Tudor highlighted Romero’s role on the pitch: “I am sure in this game he will be the leader he always is and play a good game. “
Quick context
Spurs finished fourth in the group stage to qualify directly for the last 16, but arrive amid a run of poor domestic results and mounting debate over Tudor’s future after three successive league losses. The manager believes the Champions League break can help the team reset for the battles ahead.
What’s next
With the first leg away and key players back, Tottenham will seek a performance that can arrest the slide in domestic form while keeping the tie alive in Europe; attention will then quickly return to the Premier League priorities Tudor has set ahead of the next round of fixtures against athletico madrid and back home.
