UEFA Youth League 2016-17
      Group E - Round 3, 18th October 2016, 4pm 
         Ulrich Haberland Stadium, Leverkusen

  BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN 3(0) – 1(1) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
       (All Black)               (All Yellow)
         4-2-3-1                   4-1-4-1

Bayer Team:– Kucz; Shala, Nesseler(C), Boeder, Handwerker; Akkaynak(Grym 86), Rhein; Bednarczyk, Harenbrock(Osawa 90+2), Schreck; Yalcin(Mbay 88)

Unused Subs:- Klaas; Popovic, Gonzalez, Abu Hanna

Scorers:– Bednarczyk 55, Walkes (o.g.) 67, Handwerker pen.90+2

Coach:– M. Von Ahlen

Spurs Team:– Whiteman; Walker-Peters, Tanganga, Walkes(C), Brown; Marsh; Tracey(Shashoua 67), Oakley-Boothe, Stylianides(Bennetts 75), Roles; Harrison(Sterling 64)

Scorer:– Roles 16

Booked:– Roles 56 (Unsporting conduct), Marsh 73(Foul), Walkes 90+1(Dissent)

Coach:– N. Gibbs

Attendance:– 783

Referee:– F. Jovic - Croatia Assistants:– I. Modric & H. Radic - Croatia Fourth Official:– B. Kempkes - Germany

Spurs travelled to Germany without a win in this tournament so far to play the best German side at this age group. Leverkusen are top of their U-19 league, unbeaten after eight games and are top scorers with 25 goals from 8 games, building on the U-17 league title they won last season. The only defeat they have suffered was against Monaco in the last round.

Spurs lined up with Whiteman in goal behind Tanganga and Walkes with Walker-Peters at right back and Brown on the left. Marsh anchored the midfield with Oakley-Boothe and Stylianides ahead of him flanked by Tracey on the right and Roles on the left in support of Harrison up front. All the players on the bench came from the U-18 squad.

Spurs kicked off the first half attacking the North end in a half that saw both sides producing good approach work coming up against strong defences which resulted in few chances. The first chance fell to Oakley-Boothe whose effort was deflected for a corner. Yalcin drew an easy save from Whiteman before Spurs took the lead. Marsh hit a long diagonal ball to Brown on the right and his cross was met by Roles getting in front of Kucz.

Walkes got across to block Yalcin before Bednarcyck fired wide. Yalcin fired wide of the far post before Whiteman saved a weak effort from the edge of the area. The striker had a better effort running on to a through ball but failing to beat Whiteman.

Spurs were dropping deeper now, leaving Harrison isolated upfield. Stylianides found him twenty yards out and the striker turned hitting a good effort that was matched by Kucz in the Leverkusen goal. Spurs went into the break looking comfortable at 1-0.

There were no changes for the start of the second half which saw an early effort from Harrison fly wide. The home side began to put pressure on the Spurs defence with Schrek firing wide. Bernarcyzk got through but his initial effort was blocked and his follow-up went over the bar. Schrek fired over and Bernarcyzk curled wide. Roles was booked for trying to prevent a quick throw-in on the left. When the throw was taken it was switched to the far side where Handwerker held off Tracey to cross the ball for Bernarcyzk to drill in the equaliser.

Spurs responded by pushing forward and Oakley-Boothe struck the crossbar. The game was more open now which suited the home side as Bernarcyzk won a corner. Spurs made their first change replacing Harrison with Sterling up front. Leverkusen went ahead when Shala put in a cross to the near post for Harenbrock to attack. Unfortunately the ball went in off Walkes.

Shashoua replaced Tracey on the right and his tricky play gave Handwerker and Boeder problems. Schrek drew a save from Whiteman before Marsh was booked for a foul on Yalcin running through the middle that will mean he misses the next game. Bennetts replaced Stylianides to stretch the home defence by working down the left flank. Leverkusen were now looking to close out the game making substitutions and slowing the game down. As the game went into added time Spurs conceded a penalty when Brown was adjudged to have fouled Harenbrock jumping for a ball. Spurs protested and the referee booked Walkes before Handwerker sent Whiteman the wrong way from the spot to make the game safe.

This was a hard game for Spurs, but they did well and with a bit of luck could have got something from it. With three defeats it does not look like they will get out of the group as most likey they will need to win the remaining games as the other teams have six points each. The quest starts with the next game which is the return fixture against Leverkusen on the 2nd November at Hotspur Way. Because it will also be shown by BT the kick-off has been moved to 5pm which means that I will not be able to see all the game before getting to Wembley for the Champions League game.

Ray

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