Live Match Center: CSKA Moscow v Tottenham
By Ryan Wrenn
Final Thoughts
Tottenham’s winning goal literally slipped through the hands of CSKA.
It was scored by Son in the 71st minute, just after he’d taken on the sole striker role atop Tottenham’s formation following Janssen’s substitution. Lamela passed the ball into CSKA’s box, thereby setting up Son’s shot right into the keeper’s outstretched arm and leg. Luckily for Tottenham the ball slipped through and limped past the goal line.
Prior to that Tottenham were visibly improved from the first half, but not so much that they could break down CSKA’s compact defense. They kept pressure up in the final third but still consistently made the wrong decisions, doddled on the ball and generally looked out of ideas as to how to break down Slutsky’s side.
It’s therefore no surprise that Tottenham managed a mere two shots on goal all night, including Son’s winner.
Janssen’s misguided attempts at hold up play — his back almost always to goal — didn’t help matters much, but neither did Alli’s inability to connect with the final ball but for one shot off the crossbar. Were there greater abundance of options available to Pochettino, it seems unlikely that either player would start against Manchester City on Sunday.
Elsewhere on the pitch performances were better. The backline acquitted itself nicely when CSKA deigned to attack. Wanyama suffered a few missteps and bundled dribbles, but overall had the run of midfield. Ahead of the Kenyan, Eriksen consistently found routes through to CSKA’s final third even if the ball often ended up cleared back behind him.
Next: Tottenham: Kane Injury Not As Bad As Initially Feared
In all, the impression was that Tottenham are stretching the “win badly” cliche of good teams to its limit. There’s only so far this kind of uninspired, occasionally inept play will get this team.
That being said, Tottenham are now second in Group E with three points after Bayer Leverkusen failed to hold onto a one goal lead against Monaco. With four matches yet to play, Pochettino has time to whip this team into proper shape.