Spurs were almost on the end of a very embarrassing tonking from Young Boys last night, but a steely performances spared there blushes.
As is so often the case, the media and fans underestimated the threat that would be posed by the well organised Swiss side who are already half-way through their domestic season.
Admittedly, Spurs should have been looking to win the game, but they shouldn’t have expected to do so easily. Usually in this kind of match, when the wider world dismisses the opposition, the players still take a professional approach to things, realising that if they don’t they could be left red-faced. They were most people’s Champions League betting tips for the game, but they didn’t look like justifying that for most of the match.
For the first half hour last night, the approach of the Spurs players was anything but professional. Young Boys were 3-0 down after 28 minutes and staring a qualifying round exit in the face. Fortunately for them, they were able to drag things back from the brink. Just.
Sebastian Bassong struck to make the half time scoreline 3-1 and then, after Young Boys had spurned a good chance to make it 4-1, Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbed another goal back.
The final score of 3-2, with those two valuable away goals, mean Spurs now have an excellent change of progressing to the group stages.
Speaking afterwards, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said: “It was a great defeat – if there is such a thing.
“At 3-0 down, we were staring down the barrel. We were in desperate trouble. We were all over the show.”
Redknapp can consider himself lucky that Young Boys took their foot off the gas when they looked to be playing well and must now concentrate on ensuring that they don’t slip up again in the return leg.
Meanwhile, the football predictions for the weekend suggest Spurs should pick up three points against Stoke.
That match will also allow them to get some more match fitness ahead of their second game with Young Boys.
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