Rusty Morinho, Weary Son Heung-Min, and Tottenham Fall

On the 14th, in the second half of Tottenham’s 2020-21 Premier League away game against Manchester City in the 24th round, Man City Juan Kanselu stepped on Son Heung-min’s right ankle. Son Heung-min grabbed the ankle and complained of pain. Fortunately, it happened, but there were clear blood spots around the white taping. Son Heung-min played like this, but Tottenham lost to Man City 0-3.

Son Heung-min played full-time, but the number of shots was zero. Three days ago (11th) in the England Football Association (FA) Cup round of 16 Everton, he provided three assists. Over the past month, Son Heung-min played 9 games. My stamina seemed to be exhausted. In addition, Pep Guardiola’s Man City took the lead in the midfield fight with strong forward pressure. Son Heung-min, who had been called the’Man City Killer’ by scoring 6 goals so far, had no way of doing anything.

Tottenham coach Jose Mourinho’s obvious tactic of counterattacking after the athletes didn’t work. According to the heat map of the match (a map showing the amount of activity by region in temperature), left winger Son Heung-min, who is second in scoring (13 goals), participated in the defense as much as a wingback. Harry Kane’s second-line penetration pass was blocked on the street. When Son Heung-min digs into, Kane’s counterattack did not come out. Tottenham-born Jamie Redknapp told Skysports, “When Tottenham was number one in the league, Morinho’s defensive tactics were great. But now it is the dark side. There is no quick attack, and Son Heung-min focuses on defense rather than attack.”

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundoan (Germany) scored two goals in the 5th and 21st minutes of the second half. A penalty kick was also awarded in the 23rd minute of the first half. The British Evening Standard said, “I forgot the sharpness that I showed for a month. I need a break,” he gave Son Heung-min a rating of 4 points. Director Mourinho said, “Son Heung-min has a wound on his ankle. That wound means a stud (football shoe bottom gong). In addition, the fact that an ankle shin was injured on the side of the guard means a (yellow) card.”

Tottenham, who was first in the league in November last year, went down to 9th place (10 wins, 6 draws, 7 losses, and 36 points). It is 17 points difference from Man City (53 points), which is the first place in the league with 11 consecutive wins. After 60 years, the league title has virtually gone. Teams ranked 1st to 4th in the Premier League will compete in the European Champions League next season. Tottenham fell behind Liverpool (40 points) in fourth place by four points. He is also chased by 4 points in 10th place Leeds United.

In all competitions, Tottenham’s last win was the 2007-08 League Cup. This year is also 13 years old if it is irrelevant. The league looks tough, can other trophies be possible? I was eliminated in the FA Cup. In the round of 16 on the 11th, they lost 4-5 to Everton.

There are two competitions left to win. It is in the final of the League Cup (Carabao Cup). The final is on April 26th, and the opponent is Man City. Tottenham advanced to the Europa League round of 32. On the 19th, Wolfsberger (Austria) will play the first leg of the round of 32.

Commentator Park Moon-seong said, “It seems difficult for Tottenham to compete in the Champions League with a league record. Rather, we should aim to advance to the Europa League championship qualification, but it is not easy if there are tactical limitations like now.” Tottenham have lost five in their last six games. I play defensive soccer, but the members of the foreback always change. They scored 8 runs in the last two games.

The first leg of the Europa League round of 32 will be held in Budapest, Hungary instead of Austria. This is because the Austrian government restricts entry of personnel from the UK to block the COVID-19 mutant virus. The venue is the Pushkasi Arena, named after Ferenc Pushkasi, the’Hungarian soccer hero’. Son Heung-min is the recipient of the FIFA Pushka Award for the best goal last year.

Reporter Park Lin [email protected]