Match report (Bournemouth) & Preview (Marseille)

Match report (Bournemouth) & Preview (Marseille)

The first half of our game against Bournemouth was diabolical. My thoughts were towards the manager and whether he should go; however, the second half was a different kettle of fish.

Before the crucial Champions League trip to Marseille, Conte said that fighting back to beat Bournemouth was "vital" for his side. You Think! I am sticking with Conte for the time being; give him a chance… but the team need to buck their ideas up!

Granted, we showed hunger and steadfastness to recover from two goals down, clinching victory when second-half substitute Rodrigo Bentancur attacked quickest in the second minute of stoppage time. Still, we shouldn't have to have waited for the second half…

Conte said, "It was great to see the desire of my players and the reaction they had." Agreed, but that desire should have started in the first half. Primarily we were flat as Bournemouth looked set to end a run of two successive defeats.

Their Kieffer Moore, swept the Cherries ahead following a flowing counter-attack. His second saw him outmuscle Emerson Royal to meet Adam Smith's cross with a powerful header which went in off the bar.

Ryan Sessegnon narrowed the gap with a cool finish into the bottom corner. Then Ben Davies headed in from Ivan Perisic's delivery.

We were starting to get our act together, we pressed, and our improvement was rewarded when Bentancur reacted quickest to side-foot in from another set-piece.

The relieved celebrations at the full-time whistle, from both the players and us, the travelling support, validated the importance of a morale-boosting win.

Previously we were beaten by Manchester United and Newcastle before a controversial draw against Sporting stopped us from securing a place in the Champions League last 16.

We were lucky (against the Cherries). But we all went home happy… now we must continue where we left off in the second half (and the second half against Sporting Lisbon) and secure our place in the knockout stages by besting Marseille and securing the top spot.

Match Preview: Marseille v Spurs

With everything still to play for on a final matchday in Group D, we will do battle at the Orange Velodrome on Tuesday, still vying for a spot in the Champions League knockout rounds.

We are one point clear at the top of the section, while Les Olympiens sit in fourth place but are still capable of upsetting the apple cart and qualifying for the last 16.

Match preview

Spurs

Harry Kane thought he had sent us through with a last-gasp winner, but after a three-minute VAR delay, the goal was ruled out for offside. After that, Conte was soon sent to the stands by Danny Makkelie for dissent.

Marseille Champions League form:

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Marseille form (all competitions):

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Tottenham Hotspur Champions League form:

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Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

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Team News

Spurs

Richarlison is still out with a calf problem alongside Dejan Kulusevski and his troublesome hamstring issue.

According to Conte, Cristian Romero was a "big risk" for the clash with Sporting. Still, he ought to recover from his fatigue-related calf issue in time to line up here. He should be one of several changes alongside Bentancur, Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic.

A 3-5-2 setup failed to bear fruit at Bournemouth, so I imagine Conte could revert to a 3-4-3, despite needing a draw. Bryan Gil's performance off the bench against Sporting was praised, but Lucas Moura seemingly has a better chance of lining up from the first whistle.

My predicted starting lineup:

Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic; Lucas, Kane, Son

My Prediction; 1-3

We need to win this game, so I am going for a confident 3-1win.

I am travelling with Mel, using Sport Options… it is a 24-hour round trip… no hotels…  Just there, game, and back home. Coach trips have been arranged to the ground and back to the airport.

What I would say is that I am expecting trouble… Marseille fans can be destructive and dangerous. They caused a lot of trouble at Tottenham, and for their efforts (and trouble at other grounds), they will be partially banned from their own stadium. No doubt the TV stations will cover any problems.

Coys!

Up the Spurs!

Glenn