Tottenham ended their week in South Korea with a 1-1 draw against Sevilla Harry Kane on goal for the third time in two games, but whatever Antonio Conte out of the game in Suwon?
His players are fired up and ready to engage…
The Spurs boss wants his team to have fighting spirit and there was plenty of needlework in a pre-season friendly, with fierce tackles and a half-time skirmish when Sevilla’s Gonzalo Montiel spurted blood after a clash with son Heung-min.
Son apparently accidentally caught Montiel with his left elbow as he hopped over him to win the ball. Raising himself off the ground, Argentina’s Montiel took the challenge into question and faced Son, who responded by throwing a shoulder against his chest.
There was an obvious physical exchange between Son and Gonzalo Montiel in the first half
Son drew blood from Gonzalo Montiel in a heated moment at the end of the first half
The initial blow seemed random but soon escalated with multiple players involved
Cristian Romero and Richarlison were the first on the scene when the incident drew players there. Even those who had already set off at half-time turned on their heels and returned to the pitch as tempers flared.
Lucas Moura is an option for full-back…
For the second time in two preparatory games, Lucas Moura found himself at right-back. The Brazilian is one of those who like to play anywhere and give everything. He played the role skillfully and offered creative flair in the last third when he got the ball.
In truth, Lucas probably played there because Conte wanted to give his older players at least 45 minutes. Ivan Perisic is still not fit enough to play and the Spurs boss needed Matt Doherty to share the load with Ryan Sessegnon on the left.
Lucas Moura has played twice as a full-back in the absence of Ivan Perisic this pre-season
Still, Lucas is clearly thinking as a potential full-back and perhaps at a time when Spurs are looking to score and want as many creative forces on the pitch as possible.
Erik Lamela shines again in summer…
Some players just shine in preseason and Erik Lamela falls firmly into the category. As a Tottenham player, Lamela made it a habit to produce something eye-catching and hopeful in the summer months before the rigors of the Premier League season took their toll.
Here, while playing for Sevilla, Lamela provided a sweet reminder of his quality as he pinged a difficult chance that was coming his way on the rebound with a swing of his left boot against a post. He also left a legacy to a couple of Spurs players, so nothing has changed either.
Midfielder Erik Lamela impressed for Sevilla against his former club Tottenham
Son Kane’s telepathy intact…
Good news for Spurs is that the Son-Kane axis appears to be in perfect working order. They bonded well in the first game of the tour against Team K League and scored the opening goal together against Sevilla.
Son’s run and skillful turn put him in a crowded box, but he was able to tuck the ball out and Kane was in just the right place.
A safe first touch and a clinical finish later and Tottenham were ahead five minutes into the second half. Given their 45 minutes with Richarlison in the first half, it might be some time before they develop a similar understanding of the new Brazilian striker.
Ivan Rakitic equalized with a crisp long-range shot.
Son Heung-min put on a fiery display in front of his home crowd in Seoul against Sevilla
Four to two in midfield will be a dilemma for Conte…
The balance and elegance of Rodrigo Bentancur and the diligence and passing of Oliver Skipp have impressed, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is still not looking so good and the Tour has been a disappointment for Yves Bissouma, who could not play in either game due to positives Covid test.
In finding a natural balance, Conte could be expected to pair one of Skipp and Bentancur, his strategists and pacemakers, with one of Hojbjerg and Bissouma, both of whom play up and down more vertically. But he will need more time to refine this department.
Spurs first half 343: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Sanchez; Moura, Skip, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon; Richarlison, Kane, son.
Spurs second half 343: Lloris (Austin 70); Nase, Dier, Davies (Fagan-Walcott 85); Royal, Bentancur, Highlands (Sarr 70), Doherty; Kulusevski, Kane (Parrott 70), son (Gil 70).
