Tottenham Hotspur has officially declared that their stalwart defender, Cristian Romero, will miss their upcoming Europa League opening match against Qarabag. The Argentine, who also serves as the vice-captain for the team, received two yellow cards during a heated Round of 16 clash against AC Milan in March 2023, which led to his dismissal with just 13 minutes left in the contest. Consequently, Romero will be serving a one-match suspension this Thursday.
The news has come as a somewhat anticipated blow to Spurs, but the update is not entirely without its silver linings. The club mentioned that despite the current suspension and other ineligibility issues, they are in a reasonably strong position heading into their first Europa League match of the season. Among the notable absences, defenders Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon join Romero in being unavailable for the match. However, this is not due to suspensions but rather different eligibility criteria.
On the brighter side, Tottenham has received positive updates regarding injuries within the squad. Apart from players who have long-term injuries, key forwards Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are fit and will be available for selection. This provides manager Ange Postecoglu with a much-needed boost as they aim to kick off their European campaign on a high note.
“We’re looking good overall. The weekend didn’t throw up any new injury concerns; everyone came through well, so we don’t have further issues to deal with, apart from the obvious absences of Cristian Romero, Djed Spence, and Sergio Reguilon who, despite training today, are ineligible for different reasons,” said Postecoglu during a pre-match press conference.
This Europa League season has a different format that could add layers of complexity for participating teams. Unlike the traditional group stage followed by knockout rounds, the 36 competing teams will now play in a league format. This change raises the stakes for each game significantly. Teams finishing outside the top eight positions will have to endure two additional matches, further stuffing an already congested calendar.
Both Tottenham and their domestic rivals, Manchester United, have their eyes set on more than just their European fixtures.
. Manchester United is set to face FC Twente in their Europa League match but will meet Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend in what promises to be a blockbuster Premier League encounter.
The changes in the UEFA format are also expected to have a ripple effect across domestic leagues. Managers now must navigate an even more rigorous schedule, juggling European commitments alongside domestic responsibilities. This could lead to squad rotation and strategic decisions that might affect the performance levels in both arenas.
Postecoglu and his coaching staff have gone through the numbers and understand that a strong start in the Europa League could set the dynamics for the rest of the competition. “Every match has become more important,” Postecoglu added. “The new format means that there’s little room for error. Consistency will be key, and we intend to hit the ground running.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Tottenham Hotspur as they venture into this new UEFA landscape. The team aims to prove their mettle, both on the European stage and in domestic competitions. Their fans will be hoping that the absence of key players like Romero won’t overly impact the squad’s performance in their Europa League opener.
While the team adjusts to these challenges, the focus remains clear: secure a victory against Qarabag and set a positive tone for what promises to be an intense and grueling season ahead. All eyes will be on Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Thursday, as Spurs look to overcome their initial hurdles and push forward in their quest for European glory.
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