Tottenham Hotspur looked impressive at times this evening in Spain as they led Barcelona 2-1 until deep into the second half, before the Catalan giants scored three quickfire goals to win the match.
Let’s take a look at how the Spurs players got on:
(Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Guglielmo Vicario – 7.5 – Made some nice stops throughout the 90 minutes, including some fierce shots from range. Quick off his line to head away a tricky ball over the top in the first half, then made a smart stop to prevent himself from being chipped too. Tip over the bar at the end was a highlight.
Pedro Porro – 6 – Did pretty well going forward and went close to putting Spurs 3-1 up but his defensive positioning was a real problem. Barca scored at least two goals at his back post.
Davinson Sanchez – 6.5 – Such a strange player at times. For half the game, he looked world-class with some of his last-ditch defending. The other half, his positioning was all over the place and the Barcelona players beat him for fun.
Eric Dier – 3 – This formation and game plan does not suit him. Holding a high line and then sprinting back towards your own goal only exposes his lack of pace, and Dier was always a few yards behind the Barca attack.
Sergio Reguilon – 4 – Did incredibly well to set up the first Spurs goal with his cut back to Lo Celso, but his defending was horrendous today. It may be tricky in this new inverted role to also cover the channels, but Reguilon was beaten 1v1 for fun today.
Oliver Skipp – 9 – We can’t really give him any less than a nine when he scored a brace – especially considering he only has one competitive Spurs goal. He generally knocked the ball around quite nicely too.
Yves Bissouma – 8 – Really impressive on and off the ball today. Got stuck into the challenges, with one last-ditch slide standing out. Also carried the ball well to start attacks and was perhaps Tottenham’s most consistently impressive players through his time on the pitch.
Giovani Lo Celso – 8 – This man have been given a new lease of life under Ange Postecoglou. He was at the heart of every good attack, and oozed creativity with the ball at his feet. Excited to see how he can fit into the equation this season.
Manor Solomon – 6 – Always tried to take his man on 1v1 but struggled to come out on top at times this evening. Arguably could have done more from some of the positions he found himself in.
Richarlison – 6 – Some nice centre-forward hold-up play, but most of Tottenham’s best work came from the wings today. Richarlison had a couple of chances where he fashioned a shot towards goal well, so still plenty of good signs.
Ivan Perisic – 7.5 – It seems as though Perisic has plenty to offer in the front three this season. He created the first goal and assisted the second with his excellent passing/crossing. Sometimes drifts in and out of the game, but those flashes of brilliance are valuable.
Substitutes:
Djed Spence – 5 – Added some extra legs down the right side and was full of energy, even if he didn’t quite manage to make it work in the final third.
Alfie Devine – 5 – Looks so comfortable on the ball in this first-team environment. He needs to be playing every week on loan in the Championship.
Dane Scarlett – N/A
Pape Matar Sarr – N/A
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