The report states that Marseille are keen to add reinforcements in central defence ahead of the new season and want to take Lenglet back to his home country.

In fact, the 28-year-old is described as the Ligue 1 side’s ‘great dream’ of the summer transfer window.

However, it is alleged that the defender is prioritising returning to Tottenham, who are said to be keen on signing him.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Marseille and Spurs are both keen on Lenglet

With the 28-year-old making his desire to return to the North London club clear, Marseille are now allegedly set to turn their attention to another Barca star in Eric Garcia.

The report also sheds some light on Barca’s negotiations with Spurs regarding Lenglet, explaining that the deal was well on track after the player agreed personal terms with the Lilywhites.

However, the Catalan club then decided to stand firm on their demands of €15m (£12.8m) in the hope that other clubs would enter the race.

Spurs Web Opinion

The way Barcelona have handled the negotiations for Lenglet shows just how dysfunctional they are run as an organisation.

The reality is that it is very unlikely that any other club would match Lenglet’s wages, which is why it is clear that they would have no choice but to eventually relax their demands and sell to Tottenham.

They are only putting themselves in an even more difficult position by dragging these negotiations on, given their desperation to reduce their wage bill.

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It has been widely reported over the last 24 to 48 hours that Ange Postecoglou has now emerged as the top contender for the Tottenham job (The Sun) while some other outlets have suggested that Luis Enrique and Ruben Amorim are also in consideration (Football Insider).

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

On Thursday, it emerged that two Premier League bosses in Fulham‘s Marco Silva (The Telegraph) and Wolves’ Julen Lopetegui (90min) were also on Spurs’ shortlist.

Another out-of-left-field suggestion that has been put forward recently is Gallardo, with The Daily Mail suggesting a couple of days ago that the Argentine ‘could emerge as a late option’ for Tottenham.

If Foot Mercato’s latest update is to be believed, Marseille could now pounce for the former River Plate boss, who has allegedly been identified as a potential successor to Igor Tudor.

The report asserts that the 47-year-old has now shot up to the top of the Ligue 1 side’s wishlist as the French club’s hierarchy sees his style of play as a good fit.

Spurs Web Opinion

There have not been any serious suggestions from any publications that Gallardo is in consideration for the Tottenham job.

As far as I can tell, the clamour for the Argentine seems to be coming mainly from the fan base. 

The 47-year-old would be a considerably riskier appointment than any of the managers we have been linked with, including Postecoglou, given that he has not managed in Europe at all.

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The Celtic boss is the talk of the town right now, after leading the Scottish giants to another SPL title. He also has the chance to complete a domestic treble if Celtic can win the Scottish Cup final against Inverness CT this weekend.

(Photo by Alex Todd/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Tottenham are thought to have earmarked Postecoglou as one of the top targets in their search for a new manager and are expected to open discussions with the 57-year-old regarding the vacancy next week (ESPN).

However, the man himself has told the BBC that he is firmly focused on the Celtic project right now and is not paying attention to the murmurs from North London.

Now, the Australian may have to deal with a little more noise, as Marseille are reportedly looking at the possibility of hiring him.

That’s according to Get Football News France, who suggest the Ligue 1 side are shopping around for a new manager after Tudor signalled his intention to leave the club this summer.

With Champions League play-offs to contend with, Marseille are believed to be keen to resolve their managerial situation “sooner rather than later.”

Apparently, the club is consulting with the CAA Sports agency to find the right man fort the job. What’s interesting is, Marseille’s president, Pablo Longoria, and Postecoglou both share the same representative – Frank Trimboli.

It is posited that this connection “could be pivotal” in swinging things in Marseille’s favour in the race to secure Postecoglou’s services.

Spurs Web Opinion

I can’t help but feel that we are going to miss out on yet another target in this ridiculous hunt for a new manager.

We need to be more clinical and show some conviction here; if we want someone, we have to go all out and get them rather than messing around with other options.

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Sarr joined Tottenham in the summer of 2021 from Metz, but spent the 2021/22 season back on loan with his former club.

LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images

Despite strong rumours that he would depart again last summer, Sarr remained in North London.

It has been a difficult season for the 20-year-old however, who has made just 14 appearances for the Spurs first team this year, most of which have come as a bit-part substitute (Transfermarkt).

The promising midfielder has been linked with a move to Italy in the past, with Salernitana thought to be among the front runners for his signature (CalcioMercato).

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, speculation over Sarr’s future at Tottenham is once again building up and the latest report from Foot Mercato suggests a move back to France could be on the cards for the Senegalese starlet.

Marseille are thought to be in the market for a “reinforcement” in the midfield area, and Sarr is a player who “particularly appeals” to the hierarchy at the French club.

The report describes Sarr’s time at Tottenham as being “complicated,” as he has had to “settle for crumbs” when it come to first-team opportunities.

However, it is thought the player has a “hunger” to succeed at Spurs and is “very happy to evolve” in England.

Whether that be with Spurs or not, remains to be seen. It is believed Sarr is also being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs.

Spurs Web Opinion

I would totally understand if Sarr decided to leave Spurs this summer as he has never been given a chance to perform here.

That said, I really hope we keep hold of him and give him more first-team opportunities next year.

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Malinovskyi was reportedly close to joining Tottenham last summer, but that move failed to materialise (Tutto Atalanta).

(Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Despite a strong campaign last year, Malinovskyi found himself on the fringes of the Atalanta squad this season and was told he could leave the club (Gazzetta dello Sport 16/11/22 as relayed by Sport Witness).

While it is thought Spurs made an approach early in the January transfer window, with a loan-to-buy deal on the table (Corriere della Sera), the player eventually joined French side Marseille.

He will remain on loan with the Ligue 1 team until the end of the season, when his contract with Atalanta expires. He will then have a decision to make on his long-term future.

It was believed that Malinovskyi was keen to play in the Premier League (Lyall Thomas), but Kucherov thinks the Ukraine international made the right call in opting for the move to France, suggesting it would have been too difficult for the 29-year-old to establish himself in the English top flight.

He said: “I think the Premier League is a bit high for Malinovsky. At Tottenham, it would be very difficult for him to become a player in the first team. In Marseille, he will receive a lot of playing time.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It’s true that Malinovskyi would have been a squad player at Spurs. You can’t imagine he would start regularly in an attacking line that has Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski, Heung-min Son, and Richarlison, so maybe he did make the right decision for his career in moving to France.

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A whole host of publications had reported on Tottenham’s interest in Malinovskyi right from last summer’s transfer window, with Italian outlets claiming at the time that the North London club were batting Marseille for the attacking midfielder’s signature (TuttoAtalanta).

The 29-year-old ended up staying put in Bergamo in the summer and the speculation linking him with a move to Antonio Conte’s side re-emerged ahead of the January window.

In fact, Corriere della Sera even reported a fortnight ago that Spurs had launched a loan offer for the Ukrainian with an option to buy, which would become an obligation if certain conditions are met.

However, it was Marseille who won the race for Malinovskyi, with the Ligue 1 club confirming on Monday that they had agreed on an initial loan deal for the Atalanta star with an option to buy.

The midfielder has now suggested that the Ligue 1 side were the only ones who showed concrete interest in him and insisted that ‘he never had doubts’ about moving to the Stade Velodrome.

Malinovskyi told RMC Sport: “Marseille were the most concrete offer. I never had doubts. I was spoken about in England, but it wasn’t concrete. I thought I would arrive here in August, so I followed the team a lot and I like what they’re doing a lot.”

(Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Spurs Web Opinion

Despite some reports from Italy suggesting otherwise, it was always clear that Spurs viewed Malinovskyi as a potential fallback option rather than as one of their primary attacking targets, despite the midfielder seemingly being keen on a switch to North London.

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Malinovskyi was heavily linked with a move to Spurs back in the summer (TMW) but the transfer did not materialise at the time and the speculation linking the Atalanta star with a switch to the Lilywhites reared its head once again ahead of the January transfer window.

CalcioMercato claimed two weeks ago that the attacking midfielder was ‘dreaming’ of joining Spurs and added that West Ham United had also showed interest in bringing him to the Premier League.

Corriere della Sera even asserted last week Tottenham had made an initial loan offer for Malinovskyi with an option to buy, which would become an obligation next summer if certain conditions are met.

However, it was Marseille who won the race for the midfielder, with the Ligue 1 club confirming on Monday that they had agreed on an initial loan deal for the Atalanta star with an option to buy.

Levchenko believes that his compatriot has a much better chance of being successful at the Stade Velodrome than at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at this stage of his career.

When asked about Malinovskyi’s move to the French side, the 45-year-old told Tribuna: “I don’t think that being 30 years old, this is a step backwards. When you are 30 years old, you think carefully about all the options. If Malinovskyi moved to England, to Tottenham? I don’t think he would have played there.

“Marseille is also a volcano. If you don’t play with your heart, and with fire in your eyes, the fans will kick you out. Look at the squad, at the coaches that the fans kicked out. 

“In this club, you need to work 100%. Marseille are a great team that can play in the Champions League. Tudor knows him. If they believe in him, then he will be able to play at the best level.”

(Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Spurs Web Opinion

There is no doubt that Malinovskyi would have only been a bit-part player at Tottenham. In fact, I never got the feeling that he was Conte’s or Paratici’s top target either in the summer or this month. If Spurs had expressed a serious interest in the 29-year-old, they would not have had much difficulty getting a deal over the line.

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The Ukrainian international has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur since the summer transfer window, however, a move failed to materialise (Tutto Atalanta).

The attacking midfielder’s contract runs out at the Serie A outfit this summer and the January window represents Atalanta’s last opportunity to cash in on the player (transfermarkt).

Since joining Atalanta in 2019, he has made 143 appearances for the Bergamo-based club across all competitions, scoring 30 goals and providing 28 assists.

The Italian journalist took to Twitter to reveal that Marseille are ‘closing in’ on a deal to sign the 29-year-old and he will head to the south of France initially on loan with a mandatory purchase being triggered in June.

Olympique Marseille are closing in on Ruslan Malinovskyi deal, here we go! The negotiation with Atalanta is now at final stages on permanent move. #OM #TeamOM

Full agreement already reached on the personal terms — expectation to get it signed next week. pic.twitter.com/5yGluFlhEe

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2023

More details on Ruslan Malinovskyi. Olympique Marseille will pay around €10m total fee, the deal will be done on loan with mandatory buy clause — it will become permanent in June. #OM

Malinovskyi, excited for new chapter as medical tests will take place in the next days. pic.twitter.com/aOVK4P0ePb

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2023

(Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

SpursWeb Opinion

While Tottenham are crying out for some creativity, another attacker is a bigger priority at the moment with Lucas Moura, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski all still sidelined.  Malinovskyi had a respectable season during the previous campaign, however, he has hardly set the world alight since the summer.

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Over the past few days, reports emanating from Italy have indicated that the race for Malinovskyi’s signature appears to be between Spurs and their London rivals West Ham.

CalcioMercato revealed earlier this week that Atalanta have taken up the option to extend the 29-year-old’s contract, which was initially set to run out next summer.

The report explained that while the Ukrainian dreams of a move to Antonio Conte’s side, the Lilywhites are facing competition from West Ham, who had also expressed an interest in the attacking midfielder.

The two London clubs’ interest in Malinovskyi was also backed up by Corriere della Sera, who claimed a couple of days ago that Tottenham had launched a loan offer for the player with an option to make it permanent at the end of the season, which could become an obligation if some conditions are met.

TMW have now reported that Atalanta need to sell before they can buy in January and are thus expected to move Malinovskyi on sooner rather than later.

The publication states that Spurs can ‘satisfy the economic request’ of the Serie A club but adds that the Premier League club need to be ‘beware’ of Marseille.

The report asserts that the Ligue 1 club could be set to reestablish contacts with Atalanta over Malinovskyi after completing the sale of Gerson.

TMW add that Marseille could propose a loan with an option to buy the attacking midfielder, which would be ‘convenient’ for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

Spurs Web Opinion

If Tottenham were prioritising a move for Maliovskyi, they would have likely completed the deal already as it does not appear to be a difficult transfer to pull off, given Atalanta’s desire to sell and the midfielder’s keenness to join.

It seems like the Lilywhites view the Ukrainian as a potential fallback option in case the pursuits of their top two or three attacking targets end up collapsing during this window.

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The Ukraine international was linked with a move to Spurs in the summer, and while that move failed to materialise, the rumours have not gone away (Sport Mediaset).

Malinovskyi had an impressive campaign last time out, registering ten goals and seven assists in 41 games for Atalanta (Transfermarkt). This season however, the 29-year-old has found himself frustrated.

His game time has been limited, having made just five starts in Serie A this term (Transfermarkt). With this in mind, it appears the player will be allowed to leave the club in January according to Gazzetta dello Sport (16/11/22 as relayed by Sport Witness).

A report from Ignazio Genuardi earlier this month suggested both West Ham and Marseille were keen on signing Malinovskyi, but CalcioMercatoWeb claimed Spurs were still the frontrunners to secure his services.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season (Transfermarkt), Malinovskyi is expected to leave Atalanta in either the January transfer window or in the summer.

According to the latest from TuttoMercatoWeb, Ligue 1 side Marseille are backing away from their interest, partly due to the fact Atalanta “want money for Malinovskyi,” and also because the French outfit are looking “only for younger players.”

With Marseille seemingly out of the race, it would appear Tottenham have a clear run to sign Malinovskyi should they choose to. Indeed, the report claims that when it comes to interest in the player, “there is always Tottenham.”

(Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Spurs Web Opinion

I like Ruslan Malinovskyi, and we can get him for relatively cheap, too. While there are arguably better options out there, the player sounds keen to come and play for us and it looks like we can get the deal done without any real competition, which could be a real positive in a hectic January transfer window.

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Malinovskyi has struggled for game time at Atalanta so far this season and the Ukrainian has been backed to leave the Serie A club in January.

(Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Calciomercato reported earlier this month that Tottenham have already made contact with Atalanta over a deal for the 29-year-old.

Spurs’ interest in Malinovskyi has also been backed up by Fabrizio Romano, who said on the House of Champions Podcast recently that Antonio Conte is intent on signing a midfielder in January, with the Atalanta man said to be one of the names on the North London club’s wishlist.

However, the Premier League club are expected to face competition for the attacking midfielder’s signature, with Rudy Galetti claiming last week that Inter Milan have also made contact over a January deal for the player.

If L’Equipe’s latest update is to be believed, Marseille are also contemplating a move for Malinovskyi when the transfer window reopens.

However, the report adds that the Atalanta star’s age is leading to some doubts in the Ligue 1 club’s hierarchy, who are also said to be looking at other options.

Spurs Web Opinion

If Conte is keen on snapping up Malinovskyi, Tottenham would have no trouble blowing Inter and Marseille out of the water. However, it is unclear if the Ukrainian is indeed the Spurs boss’ number one choice. I would not be surprised if the club are prioritising a move for Weston McKennie instead.

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Few managers are as animated as Conte on the touchline during matches, with the Italian tending to constantly shout instructions at his players, as well as kick and head every single ball.

(Photo by Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

However, he was unable to do that against Marseille on Tuesday and instead had to watch from the stands after picking up a red card following his side’s draw against Sporting Lisbon.

The Italian was seen celebrating wildly in the stands at the Stade Velodrome when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored a stoppage-time winner to seal the top spot in Group D (EuroFoot).

Tottenham’s assist head coach Cristian Stellini revealed after Spurs’ 2-1 win on Tuesday that Conte was much more emotionally drained from having to watch from the stands (Football.London).

Conte himself has now opened up on the experience, admitting that he was desperate to help his players when they were struggling in the first half.

When asked about sitting with the directors in France, the Italian told Football.London: “It was terrible, it was terrible honestly. It was really strange also that my place was in the middle of the people, with fans. I think maybe UEFA could find a better situation. 

“It was really difficult for me because you stay there and you can’t help your team also with giving information, especially in the first half because we were really passive in the first half and to see your team struggle and you suffer, you suffer a lot.

“For every coach his team is like a son, it’s like my son or daughter, it’s my creation, and to see my players in such difficulty was really difficult for me, and unable to help them. 

“For this reason, I want to say thanks to my staff, because they did a really good job between the first and second half. Also the players, they showed great unity. The second half was different and we deserved to win the game.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Some managers have a hands-off approach during the game and allow their players the freedom to make decisions on the pitch. 

However, Conte is on the opposite end of that spectrum and is more like a director of an orchestra on the sidelines, choreographing every pass and defensive action.

So, the 53-year-old would have understandably struggled to cope with not being able to have any influence on proceedings.

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L’Equipe have a reputation for being quite critical in their player ratings, with the publication not known to give high scores often. In fact, N’Golo Kante only got 3/10 in the 2018 World Cup final despite France winning the competition (The Athletic).

Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

The publication have not been kind to many of the Spurs players despite the Lilywhites emerging 2-1 winners at the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday and finishing at the top of Group D.

Sessegnon, who surprisingly started as a right wing-back on Tuesday, and was replaced by Emerson Royal at half-time, got a rating of just 2/10.

He was not the only Tottenham star to be handed a low rating, with Eric Dier, Ben Davies and Lucas Moura getting just 4/10 while goalscorer Clement Leglet was handed a 5/10, as did the man who assisted him, Ivan Perisic.

The player ratings from @lequipe: Marseille v Tottenham

Højbjerg star man #COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/8QK1zjbWqr

— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) November 2, 2022

Spurs Web Opinion

Sessegnon did struggle in the first half and never looked comfortable on the right. So, I do not think the rating handed to him is completely unfair. However, I am surprised that Rodrigo Bentancur and Harry Kane were handed just a 6 as I thought they were both excellent on Tuesday.

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Spurs needed just a point to seal their passage into the knockout stages of the Champions League while Marseille needed all three points to progress.

(Photo by Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

So, it was the Ligue 1 club who started the game on the front foot, with Tottenham being happy to defend with men behind the ball for most of the first half.

Marseille took a deserved lead just before the half-time whistle and the goal seemed to jolt Tottenham into action, with the North Londoners being much more adventurous after the break.

When asked if Spurs were happy to play for a draw in the first half, Stellini told Football.London: “We tried to counter-attack and try to play to create chances in all the second half.

“We cannot be happy if we draw this game because it is very important to arrive first in the group stage. We pushed to try to win, like always.”

Tottenham once again showed their powers of recovery, coming back from a deficit to win the game and thus finishing at the top of the group.

Just like at Bournemouth on Saturday, the Lilywhites got the winner in stoppage time, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg producing an impressive finish into the far corner after being played through on goal by Harry Kane.

When asked about Tottenham now making a habit of mounting comebacks, Stellini said: “Maybe it is all of this, personality and energy. But we know very well. In this type of stadium and this type of match, a knockout, it is not very easy.

“The stadium was very hot in the first half, and sometimes it is normal to give the possibility to the opponent to play, to use the energy you have in the second half. It could also be a strategy. We need to try to play all the 90 minutes in the same level.”

Spurs Web Opinion

We might have set up to play on the counter-attack in the first half but the problem was that we never really managed to put together any decent counters. We were thus inviting more and more pressure from Marseille and the strategy could have quite easily backfired.

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Antonio Conte’s side are carving out a reputation for themselves for leaving it late in matches having also secured victory against Bournemouth on Saturday deep into stoppage time.

It was a similar scenario on the south of France yesterday when the north Londoners once again started the match slowly and had to battle back after going behind to Chancel Mbemba’s header.

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

After the break, Spurs were a different side and certainly would have had a rocket in the half time team talk, which is very apt considering the Marseille fans attempts to keep the players awake the night before the game in the team hotel.

Clement Lenglet’s header gave Spurs a lifeline and it looked as if they were set to finish second in Group D behind Eintracht Frankfurt until Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg showed great energy to latch onto a Harry Kane pass and finish emphatically to ensure his side are seeded in the draw on Monday.

After the match, Emerson Royal and Yves Bissouma (IG story – 01/11/22) were among the players to capture the celebrations on their phones and posted the footage to Instagram which included Harry Kane dancing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Emerson Royal (@emerson_royal)

Even @HKane is busting out the moves

pic.twitter.com/mQ0YEhBZ5j

— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) November 1, 2022

SpursWeb Opinion

The Spurs players showed great determination and grit to get back into the game in the second half, however, they do need to be starting matches brighter and not giving themselves an uphill task.  If they sit back as they did in the first half against the likes of Real Madrid and PSG, they will soon find themselves out of the competition in the latter stages.

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The Spurs striker appeared dazed after challenging Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba for the ball and the shoulder of the former Newcastle player made contact with the 30-year-old’s cheekbone area, leaving him in a crumpled heap on the floor.

Son looked wobbly as he left the pitch under the assistance of the Tottenham medical team and headed straight to the dressing room area to receive further treatment for the injury.

Han suggested that the KFA are likely to provide an update once they receive further news on Son’s availability for the World Cup which takes place later this month in Qatar.

Within hours after Spurs beat Marseille, the KFA sent an official request to the English club for further information on Son’s head injury. Perhaps Spurs will only announce the extent of Son’s injury, but expect the KFA to provide the update on his availability for the World Cup.

— Steve Han • 한만성 (@realstevescores) November 2, 2022

After the match, a photo which has done the rounds on social media of the players celebrating in their dressing room showed Son with his left eye closed.

SpursWeb Opinion

Son clearly looked to be in no fit state to continue after receiving such a nasty blow to the head, hopefully, there are no lasting consequences to the blow.  Former Spur Jan Vertonghen admitted that he played with symptoms of concussion for nine months as he battled to earn a new contract while with the north Londoners (Sky Sports).

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Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from Marseille 1-2 Tottenham:

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Tottenham are through! – Not only have Tottenham made it through to the knockout rounds, finally, but they have also qualified top of Group D thanks to that last-minute winner from Hojbjerg. The table moved around so much all night, one minute Spurs were going into the Europa League, then qualifying second with a draw, then finally winning the group! Fingers crossed that makes for a favourable draw in the next round.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – It was once again the tale of two halves for Spurs this evening. Just as we have seen so many times over the past two months, Tottenham started the game in rotten form, sitting back and allowing Marseille to dictate play. Then, in the second 45, they came out and took the game by the scruff of the neck, finding all sorts of extra energy and joy on the ball. It makes you wonder whether it is some kind of deliberate tactic from Conte, albeit one that isn’t effective all the time.

That man Bentancur again – Over the past ten games, I would make an educated guess that Bentancur has been Tottenham’s best player in at least half of them, and that was certainly the case this evening. Spurs were anonymous in the first 45, but Rodrigo was everywhere in the second half! Not only did he dictate play on the ball as he so often does, but his endless pressing was out of this world. What a player Tottenham have on their hands.

Hojbjerg banned for the next match – After picking up another yellow card this evening, Hojbjerg will be suspended for the first leg of the knockouts. However, after scoring that winner, he probably deserves a night off!

Heung-min Son vs Liverpool – I would guess that Heung-min Son is now a doubt for the Liverpool game. The general pattern with concussions seems to be that you let the player rest and cover for a number of days before putting them back into action. We will have to wait and see, but I can imagine he will not be risked for health reasons.

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Let’s take a look at how the individual players got on:

Hugo Lloris – 6 – Made a few key stops in the first half, although nothing you wouldn’t expect him to make. Most importantly, no errors though. Stood firm when he needed to.

Ryan Sessegnon – 5 – Started on the right side then switched to the left but looked nervous at the back in both positions. Was taken off at half-time to put a natural right footer on the right.

Eric Dier – 6 – Won some strong headers in the air and got forward at times down the right, but that’s about it. Some of his cross-field passes tonight put Spurs in all kinds of problems. Much better in the second half on and off the ball.

Clement Lenglet – 7 – Meant to be in there for his quality on the ball, but Lenglet was just as panicked and poor in possession as everyone else in the first half. Struggled in the air too. Much better in the second half finding those passes out the back and that goal was HUGE!

Ben Davies – 5 – All over the place with his passing. Making the blocks is one thing, but you have to find a simple pass out otherwise the opposition attacks never end. Davies often resorted to just stabbing it clear and hoping for the best. Like everyone else, he did improve in the second 45.

Ivan Perisic – 6 – Meant to bring experience on nights like these. He was beaten by the full-backs for fun and offered almost nothing on the ball or going forward in the first half. A more well-rounded performance in the second half and ran his socks off. That block was as good as a goal too.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 7.5 – Completely overwhelmed in the middle of the pitch in the first 45. Seemed to lose every second ball and his passing felt panicked and often negative. In the second half, he was like a different player, making so much time and space for his teammates. And what a goal to win the game too!

Rodrigo Bentancur – 8 – A strangely anonymous first half, but boy did Bentancur come to life in the second 45. He dictated play as only he can in this Spurs side, starting almost every attack. His pressing was also unbelievable throughout the half. MOTM by a long way.

Lucas Moura – 5.5 – Looked like a man who is still far from match sharp. Worked hard to turn over the ball or make himself available, but consistently overran the ball once it was at his feet. Better in the second half when he served as more of a hold-up player at times.

Harry Kane – 7 – Barely in the game at all. Not sure why he was playing so deep without influencing the game defensively in the first half. Spurs were braver in the second 45 and pushed Kane higher, allowing him to give the defence all kinds of problems, hence getting Spurs further up the pitch.

Heung-min Son – N/A – Barely got a kick of the ball before going off with a concussion before the half-hour mark. Struggled to get into the game at all during that short time.

Substitutes:

Yves Bissouma – 6 – Came on for Son after 30 minutes and it felt like he never quite got up to the speed of the game in the first half. In the second, I was really impressed by how well he turned the ball over and kickstarted breakaways.

Emerson Royal – 6 – A few sloppy moments at the back, but all-in-all he actually played pretty well after coming on at half-time. Spurs certainly improved down the right side with him on the pitch.

Oliver Skipp – N/A

Bryan Gil – N/A

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Tottenham head into the break against Igor Tudor’s side currently 1-0 behind and facing the prospect of Europa League football.

Hugo Lloris: Saved well from Sanchez after 18 mins.  His save from Vertout just after the half-hour was even better – had no chance with the goal. 6.

Ryan Sessegnon: Playing the unfamiliar role of right wing-back and looks uncomfortable.  Made a howler when he failed to clear which allowed Vertout a shot on goal. Eventually swapped flanks with Perisic five minutes before half-time. 5.

Ben Davies: Has volleyed away a few clearances and also guilty of giving the ball away more than once. 5.

Eric Dier: Played on the right of the back three rather than his usual central role. 5.

Clement Lenglet: Has made a few clearances, but needs to be wary of Sanchez’ positioning. 5.

Ivan Perisic: Played a great ball across the Marseille six-yard box which nobody took a gamble on in a rare foray into the other half.  5.

Rodrigo Bentancur: With Marseille dominating possession, he has not been able to drive forward with the ball. 5.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: Pinned back mostly in his own half and has not been able to get the ball moving. 5.

Lucas Moura: Started out on the right but moved centrally after Son’s exit. 5.

Heung-min Son: Had little joy with Marseille dominating up until he took a painful knock on the cheekbone and had to be replaced. 5.

Harry Kane: Has had little service given the tide of how the first half has gone and looked even more isolated after Son went off.  He has to do more to get further up the field to allow his team-mates to release the ball to. 5.

Yves Bissouma: Came on for Son just before the half hour. 5.

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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Spurs take to the field at the Stade Velodrome without their manager able to be in the dressing room or on the touchline as a result of the one-match ban he must serve following his red card late on in the last match against Sporting CP.

(Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

The controversy at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week means that Spurs are still to qualify for the round of 16 and their Champions League fate will be decided this evening.

Tottenham need to secure just a point against Marseille, with a win guaranteed to see them seeded in next week’s draw.   Marseille who are currently bottom of Group D must win and can put Spurs in the Europa League, or the French side will face elimination.

Ivan Perisic, Eric Dier, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Moura all come into the team and will revert back to a 3-4-3 formation.

This is who takes to the field under the lights in the south of France this evening:

TEAM NEWS pic.twitter.com/fBwqV6Kdqh

— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) November 1, 2022

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