EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE
GROUP G – MATCH 1
THURSDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER, 2021
(5.45pm BST)
STADE RENNAIS FC 2(1) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(1)
Rennes scorers:-
Tait, 23
Laborde, 71
Spurs scorers:-
Bade, 11 (o.g.)
Hojbjerg, 76
Attendance:- 22,000
Referee:- Halis Özkahya
Assistants:- Ibrahim Çaglar Uyarcan & Ali Saygin Ögel
Fourth official:- Alper Ulusoy
(All officials from Turkey)
Teams:-
Rennes (4-4-2):- Salin; Traore (Capt.), Aguerd, Bade, Truffert (sub Meling, 79); Bourigeaud, Santamaria (sub Martin, 86), Tait, Sulemana (sub Ugochukwu, 79); Guirassy (sub Tel, (90+2), Laborde:-
Subs not used:- Gomis, Bonet (GKs); Assignon, Omari; Abline, Diouf; Tchaouna
Booked:- Martin (Handball)
Spurs (4-2-3-1):- Gollini; Doherty, Tanganga, Rodon, Davies; Ndombele (sub Dele, 79), Skipp; Lucas Moura (sub Scarlett, 54), Gil, Bergwijn (sub Hojbjerg, 30); Kane (Capt.)(sub Emerson Royal, 54)
(Armband to Davies)
Subs not used:- Lloris, Austin (GKs); Reguilon, Fagan-Walcott, Omole; Winks, John, Markanday
Booked:- Gil (foul on Traore)
Hard-won draw in Rennes
The banner displayed before kick-off by the home fans stated "Are you ready to fight?" Things did not get that bad, but with a referee who didn’t show a yellow card until the last ten minutes of the game, which allowed a home side who put in some hard (but never vicious) tackles, Spurs’ task was made all the harder. Already missing 6 players though Covid isolation and injury, matters were not helped by Steven Bergwijn having to be replaced after half an hour and Lucas Moura lasting only 9 minutes of the second half. Both must surely be added to the severely doubtful list for Sunday’s game against Chelsea.
Don’t get me wrong. Rennes were clearly worth their share of the points, and Spurs had more than a little luck to thank for both of their goals. Their first, which gave them the lead, was an own goal. Their second, which gave them a final equaliser relied upon a Doherty cross being deflected into the path of substitute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who cleverly slotted home. In the end, I was happy to take a draw, and I suspect Spurs were too.
Rennes hadn’t scored in their last two games. In the summer they sold their star player Eduardo Camavinga to Real Madrid. Tonight they were also missing Belgian International Jeremy Doku. However, “Les Rennais” did seem more ready “to fight”. They were tough and often moved forward in numbers and with power. Spurs, on the other hand, were too often tentative and lacking penetration. Harry Kane, who tonight became Spurs’ record holder in terms of European appearances (65) went off when Lucas was substituted, I suspect to at least preserve him for the Chelsea game.
The match started in bright sunshine and I assume Harry Kane won the toss because he chose to play towards the “home end” in the first half, although that gave Gollini the job of facing the sun. I understand that a hardy contingent of some 250-300 Spurs fans travelled to the unwelcoming French town which had barred them from the City centre on the day of the game. Spurs included Tanguy Ndombele, making his first appearance of the season, playing next to Oliver Skipp with Lucas, Gil and Bergwijn behind Kane. Ndombele displayed good skills including his strength; ability to hold the ball, and to pass accurately, but ironically when Hojbjerg had to replace the injured Bergwijn after half an hour and played next to Skipp, Spurs had a better balance with Ndombele allowed further forward and Gil taking over on the left flank. Ultimately, it did not enable Spurs to win the game, but arguably this was their toughest game of their Group G schedule.
Ndombele had a nice little run after two minutes, sending the ball to Bergwijn to the left of the area, but the Rennes defence managed to clear comfortably. It was Ndombele who started a good move which led to the opening goal in only the eleventh minute. With a clever back-heel near the touchline he sent the ball swiftly to Skipp, who passed forward to Kane just as quickly. Kane continued the move with the same pace sending Lucas Moura away down the right channel. Lucas cut in and hit what was a cross intended for Bergwijn, but this was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Bade. No matter. The move warranted a goal.
The Turkish referee was happy to settle for “words” with Bergwijn and Rennes skipper Traore after Bergwijn took Umbridge at a strong challenge near the bye-line. Ndombele was inside the area for a ball by Kane but the home defence cleared again. Davies sent Bergwijn away, but he had a bit of a slip and did not make best use of the ball. Lucas Moura could not get a strong enough touch on a cross by Davies.
Spurs had been dominating the early possession but Rennes found their form and too many spaces in the Spurs half. Gollini could only parry a shot by Laborde and Truffert could only head over his attempt to follow-up. It was no surprise really when Tait scored with a right-footed shot to the left of Gollini after taking a wall pass from Guirassy, who was effective with his back to goal.
Bergwijn needed treatment and was off the pitch for a while with Spurs playing with 10 men. A dangerous cross by Truffert aimed at Bourigeaud ran to Gollini, thankfully for Spurs. Bergwijn had to be replaced and Hojbjerg came on, giving us that better balance. A cross by Lucas for Kane was cleared after 37 minutes. Kane won a free kick which was taken by Gil and floated into the box, where it was cleared.
Hojberg took a ball on and fed it to Kane towards the right of the box. Kane’s right foot shot was parried by the goalkeeper and the defence managed to clear, after the ball ran away from danger. In added time after a cross from the right danger man Sulemana headed beyond the back post.
Early in the second half Lucas was clearly suffering after a foul. He seemed to have twisted his ankle, but came back on for a while. There were flares and associated smoke at the Rennes “home end” towards which Spurs were playing and having to negotiate the mist! Ndombele took a pass from Kane and was inside the area, but just over-ran the ball enough so it ran out of play. Guirassy wanted a corner at the other end, but the decision was goal kick.
Lucas was down again and had to go. It was time for Emerson and Scarlett to replace Lucas and Kane. Dane Scarlett did not see much of the ball. Emerson was fouled (not for the last time) just outside the area, but Gil’s free kick was well over the target. After an hour, Gil got into the box to the left of goal, but hit a poor cross straight to the goalkeeper. Emerson was fouled again, this time by Tait, but still the referee was not showing a card. Gil’s free kick disappointed again as it was hit straight at the goalkeeper. A header by Sulemana at the other end was off target. A right-footed shot by Laborde was also off target.
Both Doherty and Emerson failed with crosses from the right. Doherty failed to get the ball past the first man. Emerson hit his effort too deep. Finally, Gil managed a decent cross and Dane Scarlett dived between two defenders, missing the target with a goal kick resulting. Doherty did win a ball to the right of the area and successful fed it to Hojbjerg, whose right-footed shot was saved by Salin, who is not normally the first-choice keeper.
Rennes took a 71st minute lead when Suleman’s low shot could only be parried by Gollini and Laborde followed-up and scored. Laborde subsequently crossed for Guirassy, who shot over the corner of goal from an angle.
Spurs got back on terms when a cross by Doherty did reach the area and was deflected into the path of Hojbjerg, who scored with a clever left-foot touch. Hojbjerg then turned provider for Emerson who also fired over from the right over the corner of goal. A tiring Ndombele was replaced by an energetic Dele Alli.
Laborde hit another shot wide after another Guirassy pass. Gil took delivery of a long diagonal ball and controlled it very well, but his cross was cleared. Gil was first into the referee’s book for a foul on the Rennes captain. There was good defence in the Spurs area by Tanganga, but not so good by Doherty who was leaving too much space. A shot by Guirassy took a deflection and won a corner. There was another foul on Emerson by Tait, but still no card. There were five added minutes. Dele was fouled and Spurs had a free kick in a good position but spread the play out to the right. Eventually Hojbjerg delivered a cross and Joe Rodon headed wide.
Martin saw yellow for a handball when Spurs were on the attack, but it was the Spurs defence that was under pressure at the very end after a Rennes corner. Ultimately, I was glad of a point.
With our various injury woes, and the fact we still seem to be finding our way tactically under our new coach, it is very difficult to feel at all optimistic about Spurs chances on Sunday against Chelsea, and in the longer term.
In the other Group G game, Vitesse beat NS Mura 2-0 away, so they top the group and will host Rennes on Matchday 2, whilst Spurs host Mura.
Europa Conference League Group G
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Vitesse 1 1 0 0 2-0 2 3
2. Spurs 1 0 1 0 2-2 0 1
3. Rennes 1 0 1 0 2-2 0 1
4. NS Mura 1 0 0 1 0-2 -2 0
