Surprisingly Good Game of Football in Europe's New Third Tier Competition

Thursday 16th September 2021

Match Report

Rennes 2 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Europa Conference League Group G

Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes, France

Originally touted as 'a bit of fun', 'a chance to give the youth players a run out', Spurs' opening match of the Europa Conference League Group Stages suddenly felt like a must win following their disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace at the weekend. If they failed to put in a performance here the morale would truly be down in the dumps heading into a huge game at home to rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

For this reason, you can understand why Nuno chose to start Harry Kane, despite him looking exhausted in the game against Palace. Some would say he has a point to prove. Others would lament that yet again, we've failed to bring in a backup striker for our talisman.

In other team news, fans welcomed the sight of Tanguy Ndombele for the first time since Nuno's arrival, and hoped to see a strong performance from him, as he could well prove to be the difference by bringing the creativity that we've so desperately lacked so far this season.

On that note, young Spaniard Bryan Gil was also a welcome addition to the line up. Many were astounded that the exciting, attack minded winger didn't make an appearance at the weekend when we clearly needed something going forward.

Still no Romero or Lo Celso, who for some reason had been ordered to continue their isolation period despite other clubs with players in the same South American related COVID situation being allowed to return to their clubs…

Nice to see Spurs return to their all white kit that's traditional for them in European competitions. It suited Tanguy's new, fresh bleached hairdo too.

A strong start from Spurs, taking the lead after just ten minutes. It didn't take long for Ndombele to show his class; narrowly keeping a ball in play by the halfway line with a slick jumping back heel that found the feet of Kane, who's first time ball was flicked into the path of an onrushing Lucas Moura down the right wing. Bearing down on the area, he attempted to slide it across goal and the interception by a rapidly recovering Rennes defender deflected it past his own keeper and into the bottom right corner, 1-0 Spurs.

Shortly after, Bergwijn found himself in a little scuffle over on the left wing with Rennes right back Traore. The pair pushing each other and squaring up head to head. The ref calmed them down and proceeded without issuing any cards.

Traore then took his opportunity to go in hard on Bergwijn minutes later, clattering into him while he had the ball at his feet. Bergwijn kept his cool as if nothing happened. It was a sign of the hefty challenges to come as the home side were visibly riled up by the almost tribal atmosphere within the stadium – the Rennes faithful intimidating Tottenham with periods of sustained silence sharply interrupted with aggressively roared chants. Great support from them to be fair.

The first chance of note for the home side came on the 18th minute as a through ball found it's way through a suspect looking Spurs defence of Tanganga and Rodon. Gollini made a decent save to keep it at 1-0 to the visitors.

Pressure intensified from Rennes since the goal and on twenty-two minutes they found their equaliser. Central midfielder Tait finding space for the shot on the edge of the box and drilling it low into the bottom corner past Tanganga and across the outstretched arm of Gollini, 1-1.

Bergwijn took another knock on twenty-seven minutes and this one was painful enough to send him limping off to be replaced by Højbjerg.

Shortly after Rennes found themselves in an excellent position in front of goal again. A low ball across the area found a Rennes shirt on the edge of the six yard box, Davies just about managed to do enough to take any power out of the finish and Gollini grasped it on the ground gratefully. Warning signs for Spurs as Rennes continued to look dangerous since conceding that early goal.

Spurs managed to gain a hold back on the match in the closing five minutes of the first half. Kane found space on the top left corner of the box and drilled a shot goalwards, but it was straight at the Rennes goalkeeper who saved with ease.

"Thoughts at Half Time – As the commentator acknowledged, despite this competition being 'poo-poo'd' at the start of the season, a match-up such as this was demonstrating the quality still to be seen. A lively first half and a competitive match between two decent sides. 1-1 at the break."

Spurs started the second half well. Ndombele continued to look as if he had a point to prove, playing a silky one-two with Harry Kane and showing a good burst of pace to latch onto it. Unfortunately, as he stretched to beat the out-rushing goalkeeper to the 50/50 ball on the corner of the six yard box, he could only toe his finish wide of the post.

Shortly after the home side pegged back with a good chance of their own; another low ball across goal looked dangerous but the Rennes forward flicked it just wide.

Lucas Moura then suffered a worrying ankle injury that he tried to run off but failed to do so. Yet another name to add to Spurs' nightmare early season injury crisis. Young Dane Scarlett given the chance to impress, on as a substitute on the fifty-fourth minute. Fans are eager to see more of their next big academy prospect. Just 17 years of age, he's rated extremely highly by the Tottenham coaching staff and it was expected that this competition would be provide opportunities for young stars such as Scarlett to shine.

A tired looking Kane also made way at the same time for new signing, right back, Emerson Royal. Though with Doherty still on the pitch, Royal slotted in on the right side of a three man central midfield alongside Højbjerg and Skipp.

Sixty-first minute and Ndombele set Gil loose down his favoured left wing. First time he'd ventured on a real run at the defence and it looked promising until his chipped cross fell straight into the arms of the Rennes goalkeeper.

Royal looked lively after coming on; getting on the ball, carrying it forward and linking up well with Doherty down the right. He also won a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas around the box which Gil unfortunately wasted.

After seventy minutes Højbjerg did well to get a shot away at goal, though it was too central and saved by the goalkeeper. Rennes headed straight up the other end and a low, driven shot from the left side across goal, was parried down low by Gollini but fell straight into the path of Laborde, who tapped it into the open net to give Rennes the lead, 2-1.

It was poor goalkeeping from the Atalanta loanee, who should have held onto the ball or gotten a stronger hand onto the shot to push it to safety. The camera cut to the bench where Hugo and Harry watched on with dejected looks on their faces.

Just five minutes later and substitute Højbjerg, who looked lively since coming on, pounced onto a loose slide tackled pass from a Rennes player into his own area and stubbed it past the keeper on the half volley into the bottom left corner. The atmosphere had clearly motivated him, as he ran off in celebration ssh-ing the ferocious Rennes support, 2-2.

Seventy-eight minutes and Ndombele made way for Dele. It was a good first game back from the Frenchman and Spurs fans will be hoping to see him in the line-up against Chelsea come Sunday.

A few flurries from each side in the remaining fifteen minutes, but none of them seriously threatened to change the outcome of the match. Both sides deservedly leaving with a point following an exciting encounter. Spurs won't be thrilled with the performance but they'll be pleased to have gained a point in the toughest fixture of the group stage and to have gotten some more match fitness into the legs of fringe players who are clearly going to be needed in this already injury stricken campaign.

All eyes now are on Sunday's clash with title contenders Chelsea. Can Nuno mastermind another improbable victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he did so against defending Champions Man City on the opening day of the season? We shall have to wait and see.

Tottenham Player Ratings:

• 22. Pierluigi Gollini – 3 – Wasn't tested too much and unfortunately when he was, he failed to impress with his handling. Parried the ball into the path of Rennes striker Laborde for their second goal which was his standout moment and one he'll want to forget.

• 33. Ben Davies – 5 – Mature performance. Didn't offer much going forward however.

• 14. Joe Rodon – 4 – Still finding his feet in a Spurs shirt. Not terrible but not very good either. The central defence looked too easy to break through on occasions.

• 25. Japhet Tanganga – 5 – Decent performance from him. Looked solid on occasion, but similar to Rodon, too much broke through the centre of the Spurs defence. Could argue that he should have done better to close down and block the shot which led to Rennes opening goal.

• 2. Matt Doherty – 4 – Continues to look leggy when playing for Spurs. Tried a few breaks down the right wing but often misplaced passes and lost possession.

• 11. Bryan Gil – 5 – Looked a threat at times but his end product was disappointing, often playing crosses far too close to the Rennes keeper to be of any threat. Needs to run at players more and play more give and goes. His pace and drops of the shoulder are clearly where his strengths lie. He works hard though, left the field a sweaty mess again.

• 28. Tanguy Ndombele – 7 – Many Spurs fans will be glad to have seen him back in the side. Classy jumping back-heel to not only keep the ball in play but find Kane which led to the opening goal. Almost grabbed one himself shortly after the break too, playing a quick one two with Kane but just stretching too much to provide the finish. Confident on the ball and provides the control and creativity in the midfield that Spurs have been lacking so far this season.

• 29. Oliver Skipp – 6 – Usual Skipp performance, composed and safe in possession. Nothing to write home about but not too much to criticise either.

• 27. Lucas Moura – 6 – Did well to cause the opening goal to ricochet into the net off a Rennes defender. Showed his usual dogged determination with his runs forward. Unfortunately sustained an ankle injury which forced him to make way for Emerson Royal on the fifty-fourth minute. Hopefully it's not as bad as it looked and he'll be back in action as soon as possible.

• 23. Steven Bergwijn – 5 – Similar to Moura, looked energetic going forward but was forced to make way for Højbjerg when he suffered a leg injury after just twenty-seven minutes. Again, Spurs will be hoping it's nothing serious as we need everyone we can possible have available in this time of early season injury crisis.

• 10. Harry Kane – 6 – For his standards, quiet again. Only one shot at goal and it barely deserved a mention. Did provide a nice first time assist to tee up Moura's goal and almost did the same for Tanguy early in the second half. Clearly in need of a rest though and was subbed off for Scarlett after fifty-four minutes. A wise decision as he'll need some freshness going into the clash with Chelsea.

Substitutions:

• 23. Steven Bergwijn <-- 27' --> 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7 – Worked hard to drive the team forward. Had a shot saved right before Rennes went up the other end and scored their second. Grabbed himself a goal shortly after to make it 2-2 that silenced the crowd. Something he clearly noticed and brought light to with his ssh celebration.

• 27. Lucas Moura <-- 54' --> 12. Emerson Royal – 6 – Criticised by the commentator for going down too easy and writhing around on the floor. Something I hope he learns to cut out coming into the Premier League. Looked a threat at times though and brought extra energy to the midfield.

• 10. Harry Kane <-- 54' --> 44. Dane Scarlett – 6 – Looked lively when he first came on. Confident touches on the ball around the penalty area but despite working hard again, didn't find himself with any chances to get a goal.

• 28. Tanguy Ndombele <-- 79' --> 20. Dele Alli – N/A – Short Cameo for Dele who didn't have much time to make an impact.