Toby Alderweireld Sets the Tone for Tottenham Hotspur Again in Fiorentina Draw
Tottenham Hotspur drawing Fiorentina again in the Europa League round of 32 felt as close to footballing kismet as you are likely to get.
Those 2015 meetings exposed the faults in Mauricio Pochettino's fledgling north London project as much as any games last season.
Now a year on and via the same opponents, we would get a look at the capital club's progression and if they were any better equipped for European football (comparisons for the Serie A side are more sketchy given Paulo Sousa's new regime replaced Vincenzo Montella's).
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The 1-1 first-leg draw out in Florence provided several encouraging markers of improvement for Pochettino. None more so, however, than the latest impeccable performance from centre-back Toby Alderweireld.
Tottenham's 2-0 loss to Fiorentina last February was arguably the nadir for their defence during the campaign. Avoidable mistakes from Federico Fazio and Jan Vertonghen allowing Mario Gomez and Mohamed Salah easy routes to goal as La Viola secured a 3-1 aggregate advantage.
The Fazio-Vertonghen partnership had done well during the late-autumn-to-early-winter period and would finish the season strongly. At that point, though, Pochettino had switched things up, with Eric Dier coming in domestically.
The centre-backs' understanding was, momentarily at least, gone. Their disconnect further exacerbated by the mixed-success rotation of full-backs around them and an underperforming attack doing little to help relieve pressure (Roberto Soldado notably botched a vital lead-taking opportunity early in that second leg).
"Strengthening our defence was a priority given the number of goals we conceded last season," Pochettino said at the close of last summer's transfer window, per Spurs' official website.
Alderweireld was joined by his fellow defensive recruits here, Kieran Trippier and Kevin Wimmer, against Fiorentina on Thursday (Ben Davies making up the numbers at left-back).
It was not Trippier's most enjoyable outing in a Spurs shirt. With the scores still at 0-0, he let Federico Bernardeschi get behind him for a Josip Ilicic cross, only for the Italian to misdirect his finish. Later on, he was often left exposed up against Marcos Alonso and Mauro Zarate.
Wimmer defended with typical aggression on the front foot, but his timing was a little off, committing two first-half fouls. Better, however, was seen in his maintaining shape alongside Alderweireld, the pair again providing good cover for each other.
In front of them, they also largely received better protection than the defence received at the Artemio Franchi last year.
Ryan Mason might have done better attempting to block Bernardeschi's equalising goal (his half-hearted attempt deflecting it past the helpless Michel Vorm). Otherwise, though, the team's greater confidence attacking and engaging with Fiorentina ensured a more comfortable night. Davies in particular deserved credit for the initiative he showed winning the penalty from which Nacer Chadli scored Spurs' goal.
Like in the majority of the seven-match winning run that preceded this draw, it was Alderweireld who set the tone for proceedings.
Upon Vertonghen getting injured last month, this writer had questioned the younger Belgian's ability to lead the Tottenham defence. Citing in particular previous games without his compatriot against Monaco and Leicester City (alongside Wimmer) where there were concerning, costly moments of disorganisation.
Those who opted to more firmly trust Alderweireld's greater surrounding body of work were right to do so. He has barely missed a beat without Vertonghen, assuming the larger weight of responsibility as if it carried the heft of a feather.
The calmness he exudes in all aspects of his game has provided a valuable point of consistency. One that has helped ease Wimmer into things and allowed the frequent switching of full-backs to continue to good effect.
Like Vertonghen, the Austrian is the primary first-responder to opposition advances. Backing this up, Alderweireld has sharpened his own reactions in moments Spurs are holding a higher line. Crucially, he has also done so when they are pinned further back.
The former duty was more valuable in the recent win over Watford, the latter against Manchester City. Against Fiorentina, it was very much a hybrid.
Stepping forward, Alderweireld was alert to a first-half attempted through ball from Bernardeschi and was quick to look for good passing opportunities. Throughout the game, he was in good position further back to clear his lines or at least provide a defensive obstacle (he led the team for clearances with nine, per Squawka).
Pochettino is right to acknowledge the lack of game-control that threatened to undermine Tottenham later on (above). Progression past Fiorentina in the second leg will almost certainly require a more thoroughly aggressive display back at White Hart Lane.
Spurs did not have the guts or quality to get past the Italian outfit last year. While there is greater reason to believe the team's attack can do their part in getting them there now, it is the side's defensive work that is giving most cause for optimism.
As good as Vertonghen, Wimmer and the squadron of full-backs have specifically been here (well supported by others like goalkeeper Hugo Lloris), right now it is Alderweireld leading the way. If he continues in this vein of form, Tottenham should feel confident taking on anybody.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
