Spurs international watch: Three points for defender's side

On Monday evening, there was UEFA nations league action for Radu Dragusin and his Romania side. The implications of the result were far more complicated than they normally would be. In case you missed it, their game against Kosovo on Friday was abandoned in second half stoppage time due to geopolitical tensions.

In any case, they were hosting Cyprus tonight, the country that Dragusin had scored his first ever international goal against last month, in the same competition. No goal nor clean sheet on this particular occasion, but a solid 4-1 win in any case. The defender was taken off after 68 minutes - in what appeared to be a tactical change with the game done, rather than any suggestion off an injury or a knock.

Defender finishes his international break with a victory

In those 68 minutes on the pitch, Dragusin recorded; two clearances, two interceptions, one tackle, 7/11 accurate long balls, 2/3 total duels won, 64 touches, and 51/56 passes. Ultimately, there is no doubt he has not been good enough in a Spurs shirt so far this season, but he is going to be needed whether we like it or not, so let’s hope he can channel this into some club form as soon as possible.

There has still been no official confirmation or clarity on what was the determined outcome from the game on Friday, but we can be pretty sure that Romania have topped their group regardless of the outcome decided on that game.

Essentially, in a worst case scenario – Romania would be handed a 3-0 defeat. That would leave both them and Kosovo with identical goal difference and head to head to record. Going into the next tiebreaker, Romania will have scored more goals than their counterparts, even with these three goals added.

Should that be the case, Romania will be promoted from league C of the nations league to league B. No doubt a very good year for the national team, having exceeded expectations to make the knockout stages of the European Championships in the summer, and now a promotion in the nations league – where they can test themselves against better teams.

That is it for Dragusin now, his international break is over, and he will return to Hotspur Way in preparation for the game against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. As touched on above, there is a fair chance he will be needed for the game.