Why make it easy on yourself, when you can provide the drama?
Ask the teams in the Champions League Group D.
Especially Tottenham, who somehow managed to get past the last hurdle.
When the clock ticked to 45, it ticked, meaning double. Partly when Chancel Mbemba blasted off the ground and headed 1-0 behind goalkeeper Hugo Lloris at a corner. Then from the fireworks in the rocking stands of the Stade Vélodrome on French night.
Obviously, the Marseille supporters knew that this goal, before the end of the first half, had more weight than the others. Understanding evening conditions does not require advanced mathematical knowledge.
Tottenham needed either a win or a draw to advance in the Champions League, which is where they set themselves up on their own. Antonio Conte’s side were arguably unlucky at home to Sporting Lisbon last week, when a controversial VAR decision overturned Harry Kane’s 2-1 goal. Referee was behind the fact that Conte, with his unbridled temper, was now forced to suffer by deciding from the stands rather than the sideline.
I got rid of so much
To be fair, Spurs threw a lot in the previous fights. Like the first leg match with Sporting or the first half at home. Even in the home match against Marseille, the Premier League club experienced a wave of tension keeping a clean sheet at halftime, after which the visiting team sent off a man. Who then? Of course it was Chancel Mbemba who now sought forgiveness by achieving the goal of golden progression at the Stade Vélodrome.
Tottenham may blame Heung-Min-sun’s head injury after half an hour to stop more play, which led to a change of lineup with midfielder Yves Bisuma replaced.
At the same time, it was so little so far about the formation, most importantly the lack of will and ambition. Spurs sat back and hoped Marseille couldn’t break through their low defence. It turned out to be a miscalculation.
Better position in others
But there is no doubt that there is always more to be gained from Conte’s men. After the break, Rodrigo Bentancur was allowed to ditch in midfield, helping Spurs make more in ten minutes than they had in the entire first half. Harry Kane then won a free kick sent by Ivan Perisic to the penalty area, where it was passed by Clement Lenglet.
Their strong offensive positions in particular continue to be a very positive aspect of Tottenham’s game (in the league, for example, they have already scored nine corner goals in 13 games). It’s no talk to say that Lenglet silenced the ring with his equaliser – he was really quiet. Not even Conte moved again in the stands.
There is no need for Tottenham to be put in a corner of shame with Barcelona and Juventus. Pierre-Emile Hojberg made it 2-1 seconds before, despite ex-Arsenal player Sid Kolasinac revealing Tottenham’s inner killer in the final minutes. Humiliating end for Marseille and its supporters, who, with the last goal scored, did not even get a match in the European League.
Another club that doesn’t have a lot of margins is Sporting Lisbon. For 62 minutes on Tuesday night, Robin Amorim topped the group, only to finish last at the very next minute and end up in third place thanks to Höjbjerg. Last spring, Eintracht Frankfurt drew (sort of) half the population to Seville, where the Germans deservedly beat Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League final. Now they have made a new and impressive sensation on the Iberian Peninsula and are in the Champions League.