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Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for Conference League trip to Rennes

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Pierluigi Gollini of Tottenham Hotspur during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Pierluigi Gollini of Tottenham Hotspur during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini sets himself for a shot
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Pierluigi Gollini of Tottenham Hotspur during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Hotspur begins their European campaign in earnest, with their first Conference League Group Stage match at Rennes, here are the XI Nuno is likely to start.

Managing the load is the name of the game right now for Nuno Espirito Santo and Tottenham Hotspur. Injuries and the Covid enforced absences of six key players means Tottenham will potentially go deeper into the team than they have so far in this young season. Ultimately, we will learn a lot about both Santo and Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, and based on what we know of Nuno thus far, here are our projected XI for the trip to Rennes.

Pierluigi Gollini is back in the saddle for Spurs

Pierluigi Gollini was signed in the summer to be competition or even the ear apparent for Hugo Lloris at N17. Gollini was okay in the preseason and then gave up one goal over two matches against Pacos de Ferreira in the Europa Conference League playoff qualifiers.

Given the team is back in a non-league competition, it seems likely that Gollini will be back between the sticks for the Spurs. The only reason not to start Gollini and use Lloris would be because the game is in France but that is not a really compelling reason.

Gollini needs the minutes and he is likely to get a lot of work, given Rennes’ desire to press, pressure, and dominate possession. To get a clean sheet in this one, Gollini might have to make three or even four big saves as the defense in front of him is going to be a mixed group, given injuries and absence.

Ultimately, for Gollini to seriously push Lloris for that #1 role on the team, it is going to take some brilliant performances, Thursday should be a real opportunity for Gollini to do that.