Joao Sacramento dropped the bomb Bale is starting but what else can we expect to see in Belgium from Tottenham and Royal Antwerp in Europa League Thursday?
Other than Japhet Tanganga, Tottenham Hotspur have a fully available senior side, meaning there will be some serious rotation from the Monday Burnley game for Thursday evening in Belgium. HotspurHQ already gave our projected XI, which we know has at least one correct player – Gareth Bale. So what, besides the big Bale news did Joao Sacramento share in his interview with SpursTV, and what else do we know and can we look forward to in Tottenham’s match-up with Royal Antwerp in Europa League?
Sacramento on Antwerp
We know two things from Joao Sacramento, Gareth Bale is supposed to start, and numbers are not a problem for Spurs. Player availability cannot be an excuse whether Tottenham are able to break down Antwerp, as once again Spurs will have nearly everyone available. Suddenly a team that looked so thin last season is transformed. Sacramento commented that not “a lot of teams in the world have this advantage” with this being the depth of what he called a “very strong squad”.
According to Sacramento as a “big club like Tottenham” Spurs want to “win every game” including Thursday in Belgium as part of the process of “getting an identity” as a football team. That concept of identity is something Royal Antwerp does already have according to the assistant coach. Joao noted that Antwerp is big, experienced, and like to play with a back five making them hard to break down on defense. Thus, Tottenham are going to need this big, strong squad to succeed. Read on to learn more about Royal Antwerp and what to expect from Tottenham.
Royal Antwerp in Excellent Form
Antwerp sits alone in first place in the Belgium First Division A on 20 points after 10 matches. That two points per match average is slightly better than the 1.83 points per match Tottenham currently have in the Premier League as they sit 5th in the table on 11 points after six matches. Even more impressive than the position in the table or points accumulated is the form of Royal Antwerp, which is quite exceptional.
If you include Royal Antwerp’s win last week against Ludogorets in Europa League, The Great Old – Antwerp’s nickname – have won five straight matches in all competitions and are unbeaten in their last seven matches. Antwerp last lost to Charleoi in league on the next to last day of August. Thursday will be one day short of two months since Antwerp has lost, Spurs cannot take them lightly.
Much like Tottenham Antwerp has been scoring goals for fun, last being held to less than 2 goals in that shutout loss to Charleoi in August. Since that loss, The Great Old has scored 20 goals in their last seven games, which averages to more than 2.85 goals per match. Despite Joao’s talk of a five-man defense, Antwerp wins by outscoring opponents.
Antwerp outscores opponents mostly because they have too. While Antwerp has yet to give up more than two goals in a game but they have only kept one clean sheet in 10. That clean sheet was against Gent, also back in August. In all Antwerp has given up 15 goals in 10 games, for a 1.5 average. Of course, a team can live with giving up nearly two goals a match when they score three.
Antwerp Players to Watch
Dieumerci Mbokani and Lior Refaelov lead the line for Antwerp. While both are older strikers at 24, they are both highly active and get off a lot of shots. Both players average more than two shots per match, and both shot at about a 40% accuracy meaning hey will have a shot on a goal, just how many and how good is the question. On dead ball situations Spurs need to be particularly attentive to Simen Juklerod, the midfielder has three goals on only five shots, finding himself on the receiving end of a couple set pieces.
While it is debatable whether Antwerp plays a 3-5-2 or a 5-3-2, one thing Joao is 100% right about in his interview is the aggression of Antwerp, who have picked up 20 yellow cards in their 10 games this season. French defender Dylan Batubinsika can a bit aggressive collecting four of those 20 team yellow cards himself and collecting a red already this season. Batubinsika is also second on the team with 10 fouls behind Ritichie De Laet who has 11 fouls and two yellow cards himself. The point is this is going to be a tough, physical match.
NOTE: Batubinsika is likely out as he along with Manuel Benson due to positive Covid-19 tests according to Sporskeeda.com.
Tottenham Approach for Antwerp
Knowing Antwerp likes to be physical and have possession and knowing they are on the road with a team not that familiar with each other, Tottenham will likely start the game conceding possession. This does not mean they will not score early and often, but possession will not be necessary to create chances for Tottenham.
Look for Spurs to be patient defensively and then to quickly strike on the counter. Between, Bergwijn, Vinicius, and Bale Tottenham Hotspur will have speed to burn against the Belgian defense. Whether it is three, five, or eight defenders, if they push too far up the pitch, they are doing to pay for it.
Of course, Antwerp scouts too and may be too smart to try and control possession and instead force Tottenham to unlock a compact defense. If that is the case, look for Vinicius to be a big key with his ability to hold and them distribute the ball in the final third. In Antwerp forces Spurs to unlock them, we have little doubt Vinicius holds the key which can mean a big night for those around him as well as himself.
Finally, whoever is sitting in the #10 slot, whether Lamela as we predicted, Dele, Lo Celso or anyone else, that person is going to have to work extra hard as find space against what ultimately will be eight guys back behind the ball anytime Tottenham is not on the counter. If the #10 can find space between the players, then the opportunity for quick, direct passes between the lines will exist.
If Tottenham can find that ball movement, whether conceding or demanding possession, quick, crisp, direct ball movement; Spurs are simply too good for Antwerp and can leave with all three points and in command of their group. If Tottenham plod around the pitch, indecisive and wishful in their passes, it could be a long day. We think it will be more the former – good ball movement – and expect to see Tottenham leave Belgium winners, 4-1. What do you think?