Vitesse vs Tottenham LIVE: Europa Conference League result, final score and reaction tonight
Maximilian Wittek’s 78th-minute strike was enough to secure the points and leave Spurs in real bother sat in third in Group G
Tottenham’s decision to leave their big guns at home saw them lose 1-0 to Vitesse Arnhem in Group G of Europa Conference League.
The likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Cristiano Romero and Hugo Lloris did not travel to Holland with Sunday’s clash at West Ham in mind and a second string were undone by Maximilian Wittek’s 78th-minute strike.
The side Nuno Espirito Santo picked still had nine international players, but they were never really in the game and Bryan Gil’s shot that hit the crossbar early in the second half was their only moment of note.
Last time Tottenham played in Holland they enjoyed one of the most famous nights in their history as Lucas Moura’s hat-trick against Ajax sent them through to the Champions League final.
This time the Johan Cruijff ArenA was nothing but a stop on the trainline between Amsterdam and Arnhem and that Moura miracle must seem a long time ago as Spurs now compete in the third tier of European football.
Nuno has shown the competition respect so far, but made it clear where his priorities lay, leaving the entire XI that played 90 minutes at Newcastle last weekend at home to train ahead of Sunday’s Premier League visit to the Hammers.
With the return fixture in a fortnight and then a trip to the weakest team in the competition NS Mura to come, the Portuguese decided that leaving his big guns back in London for this game was a risk worth taking.
It was a gamble because this was a big night for Vitesse, who sold out their GelreDome stadium for the first time in seven years.
Before kick-off their partisan fans held up a banner reading “For the city, the colours and our club: This is our night” and, fresh from a derby win over NEC Nijmegen at the weekend, they started with intent.
Nikolai Baden Frederiksen forced Pierluigi Gollini into a save with his feet after being played in in the third minute and then Jacob Rasmussen flashed a header just wide from a corner.
Unsurprisingly given the amount of changes, Spurs were not up to much in an attacking sense in the first half, with teenage striker Dane Scarlett up against it in a lone role in attack.
They immediately showed more after the break and were within inches of taking the lead in the 47th minute.
Giovani Lo Celso showed why he is becoming a key player for Argentina as he went on an enterprising dribble before laying it off for Gil, whose first-time shot rattled the crossbar.
That was as good as it got for Spurs who were pinned further and further back as the second half wore on, with Eli Dasa twice going close with efforts from distance, the second effort bringing a smart stop out of Gollini.
It was no surprise when the goal came 12 minutes from time as Wittek brilliantly volleyed home Dasa’s cross from the edge of the area to send the home crowd wild.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
Both teams made mistakes during that first 45 minutes. Tottenham gave the ball away countless times and never seemed to get out of first gear.
Nuno Espirito Santo will want more urgency, more intent and sharper passing in the second half.
A shot on target would be nice too.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
The other Group G game of the night has Rennes 2-1 up against Mura meaning that as things stand Tottenham are dropping to second place in the table.
They need to win Group G to avoid a play-off match to get into the knockout stages.
Half-time: Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
45+1 mins: Nuno Espirito Santo has named a second string starting XI for Tottenham and it’s clear. The players haven’t quite gelled in attack with the visitors only having two shots in the first half.
Vitesse have had seven but most have come from outside the box or have been off-target. Neither goalkeeper has had much to do and the game remains deadlocked.
The crowd have been great though.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
45 mins: Almost. Tanganga gets forward on the overlap and Bergwijn sends him the ball. He flicks it into the six-yard box towards Scarlett but Riechedly Bazoer blocks the pass. Dele Alli wins if off the centre-back but is swarmed by three defenders and the ball rolls loose. Tanganga lunges in to try and take back possession but he fouls Bazoer and Vitesse get a reprieve.
One added minute to play.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
42 mins: Bergwijn chases down a long ball and wins a throw in after Schubert spoons the ball out of play. Davies sends it back into play but fouls Dasa as Vitesse win the ball.
Steven Bergwijn knocks the ball away and argues with the referee which sees him pick up a yellow card.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
39 mins: Lo Celso swings another free kick into the box from the left wing for Spurs. He picks out Sanchez who knocks the ball down for Gil. He tries to chip the ball over the bodies in front of him but doesn’t get enough dip on the shot and the ball goes over the crossbar.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
36 mins: Tottenham are defending their own area pretty well but Vitesse are getting the ball into some dangerous areas. Openda carries the ball into the far side of the box and knocks it to Frederiksen. His back is to goal and he has no space to turn. Instead he passes the ball back to Wittek who shoots from range and belts his effort over the crossbar.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
33 mins: Rasmussen gets into trouble in his own box as Lo Celso presses him and wins back the ball for Spurs. He takes it to the byline but can’t find a cutback into Scarlett.
Vitesse clear their lines and work the ball back up the pitch. Dasa tries to slip Darfalou into the box but the striker is tackled and Spurs come away with possession.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
30 mins: Tottenham keep up the pressure on the Vitesse penalty area and win a free kick over to the right of the box. Lo Celso curls the deadball towards the near post where it hits Schubert in the chest and bounces out of play off Davinson Sanchez.
Vitesse 0 - 0 Tottenham
28 mins: Bryan Gil brings the ball into the inside left channel for Spurs and us brought down by Bero. Lo Celso curls a teasing free kick into the six-yard box and Jacob Rasmussen beats Scarlett to the ball. He heads it on and Wittek puts it behind for a Tottenham corner.
Lo Celso knocks the corner ball short but is given it back. He sends in a cross that Tanganga flicks on but Rasmussen manages to clear the danger.
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