[OSEN=정승우 기자] The four-back combination, which is operating on a whimper basis, has conceded 9 goals in 3 games.
Britain’s ‘Football London’ said on the 30th (hereinafter Korean time), “Tottenham Hotspur’s defense is at a painful level,” and “Tottenham accurately exposed their defensive problems in the last game.”
Tottenham lost 2-4 to the home team Brighton & Hove Albion in the 19th round of the 2023-2024 Premier League season held at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, England on the 29th.
Tottenham suffered from the absence of central defender Christian Romero. Romero was replaced in the game against Everton on the 24th due to a hamstring injury. It is reported that Romero will be able to return in 4 to 5 weeks.
Tottenham used a 4-2-3-1 formation. Richarlison was at the forefront, and Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, and Brennan Johnson were in the second line. Pierre-Emile Javier and Pape Sar stood in the midfield, while Destiny Udogi, Ben Davis, Emerson Royale, and Pedro Forro formed the back four. The goal was guarded by Guglielmo Vicario. Romero’s vacancy was filled by Royal, who originally played the position of side defender.
As a result, royal selection did not have much effect. Royal only succeeded in two of the six tackles it attempted and its aerial fight win rate was 0% (0/4).
Immediately after the end of the game, Football London gave Royal a rating of 4 out of 10 and criticized him, saying, “He is a fullback who played at center back. He tried to block Joao Pedro with Pedro Foro, but it was ineffective.”
One thing to note is Eric Dier’s absence. Dier, who has been a professional center back for Tottenham in recent seasons, was only named on the substitute list for this game and did not enter the field. Coach Enzi Postecoglou chose Royal, who is awkward in the central defense position, instead of Dier, who is the only professional center back other than Mickey van der Ven and Christian Romero, who are unable to play due to injury.
Football London said: “The Tottenham defense really showed itself. The four full-backs played independently across the pitch. This is only the third time all four have played at once and they have conceded nine goals in three games.” He said.
“Injuries to the defense were crucial. With Romero and van der Ven out, there was a huge hole in the defensive line. Ben Davis played brilliantly as a makeshift centre-back and proved himself again by adding a wonderful headed goal in the game. However, we need a center back next to him who can naturally play the role,” he emphasized.
Regarding Royal, who teamed up with Davis, he said, “He gave everything and recorded six tackles, three clearances, and one interception, but he never won an aerial battle. The reason for using Royal instead of Dier is “It seems to be because Coach Postekoglou wants to play soccer that moves the ball quickly from the back,” he said.
/reccos23@osen.co.kr
2023-12-30 00:35:41
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