Keys to success for Tottenham at Rennes in Conference League opener

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Aston Villa’s Scottish midfielder John McGinn (L) tackles Tottenham Hotspur’s French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele (C) during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on March 21, 2021. Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Tottenham Hotspur needs a good result against Rennes in France to get their confidence back and start the Conference League right, here are the keys to making that happen.

After a bad loss, last weekend and a big-time showdown with cross-town rival Chelsea coming up on Sunday, playing well and getting their mojo back are important for Tottenham Hotspur. The Spurs will not be at full strength against Rennes – defensively that is an understatement – however, a good result to start their European campaign and feeling good heading into the weekend encounter with the European Champions is important. Here are our keys to Tottenham finding success in France and it all starts with the approach.

Tottenham cannot get pinned in defensively

Let’s not kid ourselves, Tottenham is like going to be a high percentage possession team under Nuno Espirito Santo. Alternatively, Rennes, under Bruno Genesio, is a team that likes to try and dominate possession.

On the road, with a weakened squad, it is not realistic for Tottenham to turn the tables and dominate possession against a possession team, however, the Spurs cannot get stuck in defensively.

One of the main reasons Tottenham was able to beat Manchester City opening weekend was that the Spurs were able to throw real counter-punches at the Sky Blues and found some time on the ball. LIkewise at Wolves, Tottenham was able to absorb the attacks and push back nearly as good as they received against a very aggressive team.

However, against Crystal Palace that same intent to try and control the tempo of the game was absent and after the red card, there was no doubt the Spurs were going to be stuck in. That can’t be the case against the Reindeer on Thursday. Tottenham needs to counter with real intent and also seek to control enough of the possession that the defense can rest and even get forward against a susceptible wide defense.

If Tottenham gets trapped deep defensively and Rennes dominates possession holding 60% or more, it is going to be tough for Tottenham to keep a clean sheet or find much punch in the attack. The Spurs must not get pinned in to have a chance.