Besiktas vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Lessons Learned from Europa League Game
Besiktas beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Thursday to finish top of Europa League Group C, one point ahead of the Premier League side. Cenk Tosun's 56th minute goal sealed the win for the Turkish Super Lig table-toppers.
The most notable incidents of a mostly uneventful match were the two floodlight failures at the Ataturk Stadium. One came after seven minutes, the other shortly into second-half stoppage time. On both occasions, referee Stefan Johannesson sent the players down the tunnel until the lights were fixed.
Both sides will find out who they face in the round of 32 on Monday. For now, here are some lessons learned from their concluding group stage match.
Walker Definitely Needed the Run-out
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Tottenham wanted to avoid defeat at Besiktas to finish top of their group and avoid a likely tougher test in the next round. That they did not will be a disappointment, but one they will get over quickly.
As regards returning right-back Kyle Walker, the match served an obvious practical function. He needed to get some match fitness. With qualification already achieved, there was not so much pressure to be fully back to his best after such a lengthy absence through injury.
Walker made successive headers within 30 seconds of kick-off, and a couple of minutes later was fouled after a run into midfield. The moments were not enough to shake off his understandable rustiness as he soon gave the ball away, and later in the first-half played a short pass back to Younes Kaboul (albeit not helped by a slow surface).
The 24-year-old's best work saw him get beyond Andros Townsend on the overlap. Only a couple of his crosses found a team-mate, but the intent was positive and the yards accrued in these runs should do him good.
Walker's need to shake off the cobwebs was seen in his inadvertent role in Besiktas' goal. He failed to track Olcay Sahan's run behind him from a cross, and the wide-man squared to a similarly unmarked Tosun who easily tapped it in. Afterwards he admitted he is still feeling his way back.
""@kylewalker2: I still feel a little rusty but that will come with time. By the next game hopefully I'll be sharp and fully fit."
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 11, 2014"
Still, his 76 minutes were overall a welcome step on his road back to a more satisfactory performance level. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino was certainly pleased to welcome him back to the fold:
"Mauricio on @kylewalker2's return: "It was good for him to come back. He's important for us and the squad."
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 11, 2014"
Spurs' Other Defenders Have Firmly Fallen Behind in the Pecking Order
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Less than stellar performances from Younes Kaboul and Danny Rose could be somewhat understood, too, given neither had played since the loss to Stoke City on November 9.
Kaboul, especially, was not helped by Tottenham's increasing adventurousness against Besiktas (even prior to the goal). He and centre-back partner Vlad Chiriches were often left exposed, joined by maybe one midfielder and perhaps their full-backs in dealing with a counter-attack.
Unlike Walker, though, it is harder to excuse their mistakes and foibles given their continued failure to address them this season.
Kaboul was the one who let Tosun get behind him for Besiktas' winner. He got caught ball-watching as the Spurs back-four moved out and left the striker unattended until it was too late.
More than once, Rose could be seen barely jogging back when he was caught out of position. The most egregious example came shortly before the interval. He half-heartedly committed to closing down Kerim Frei on the flank and then just watched on as he raced beyond him.
There is an accompanying risk to his instruction to get forward and provide width for the team. Nonetheless, Rose's persistent unwillingness to make an acceptable effort to try and get back in such situations is not going to do his chances of playing more any good.
Spurs have undoubtedly looked better in defence recently with Ben Davies at left-back, and Federico Fazio and Jan Vertonghen together at centre-back. Playing consecutive games as a unit has served to enhance their individual performances.
It is difficult to see how, bar covering for any injuries, Kaboul or Rose are going to get back ahead of them in the pecking order anytime soon.
Tottenham's Final Third Hesitancy Continues to Puzzle
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"Mauricio: "I'm disappointed because we dominated but in football you have to score when you're on top." #UEL pic.twitter.com/6lON4aiYqA
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 11, 2014"
Tottenham did not sparkle as an attacking force in Istanbul, but Pochettino is right in saying they could have gone ahead during the periods they were in charge. Particularly during the first-half.
Roberto Soldado should have done better on 16 minutes when he received a Kaboul knockdown from a Paulinho free-kick. Even with Tolga Zengin narrowing the angle there was still space for the striker to shoot past the goalkeeper. Instead of burying it he barely grazed the ball.
Besides that, there were not so many big chances. Yet, even accounting for the mixed-up starting XI (with a number of changes made from Crystal Palace last Saturday), Spurs still were able to push Besiktas back into uncomfortable positions in and around their box.
Nacer Chadli and Townsend were typically lively, while Mousa Dembele and Paulinho worked hard to bring the ball forward when they could. The subsequent lack of conviction when the team entered the final third was as puzzling as it has been all season. Their most potent attackers of late, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane, were definitely missed.
You can only credit good opposition defending or blame tactical uncertainty so much sometimes. Spurs were far from a shambles, they just seemed to lack guts in front of goal.
Result Should Help Besiktas Progress Further in the Europa League
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"In Monday’s #UELdraw we will get one of 12 #UEL group winners or one of the four best third-ranked teams from the @ChampionsLeague.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 11, 2014"
"We can’t be drawn against another English side or Besiktas who qualified as @EuropaLeague Group C winners.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 11, 2014"
As noted above, Tottenham's loss means they could well get a tricky round of 32 opponent for February.
A tougher game might well be what they need to inspire them in the competition. Or it could be the case a more difficult opponent reinforces their inferiority and a swift exit follows.
Finishing first and gaining the kinder draw it likely entails will suit Besiktas down to the ground.
As seen in their Champions League playoff exit to Arsenal, the clubs at that level (even exiting the tournament now) are probably a little too strong for them. Slaven Bilic's side have shown they are more than capable of beating Europa League-calibre teams, though.
They should stand a good chance of progressing a round or two further without their league efforts suffering.
