With Newcastle United achieving a great win against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, the Magpies’ performance is obviously something to look at when you’re working to beat Spurs.
So as Sporting now prepare to face Antonio Conte’s side in the Champions League, the Portuguese media is curious about how Eddie Howe managed to get such an important win away from home.
That’s why Radio Renascença show Bola Branca today features an interesting story with Newcastle scout Bruno Reis. He explained what the Magpies needed to do to beat Tottenham, showing some fragilities Spurs had.
“They expose some of the players who have these weaknesses, namely the left centre-back, Lenglet or Davies. That was exposed in our game on Sunday, in the second goal, in which Miguel Almirón easily passed Lenglet. I can visualise Sporting, with Edwards or Trincao, being able to exploit that”, Bruno Reis told Bola Branca.
“Tottenham are very strong in the transition, they have very fast players and are very automated, if Sporting do not have security in possession of the ball and a good positional game they will be exposed and, in transition, Tottenham will cause damage.
“I believe they (Sporting) prepare very well for this match and have the benefit of being able to play with two results, a win and a draw. I think Sporting can play patiently and, if they do, they have a clear chance of getting a good result, not least because of the way they have been competitive and the way Tottenham are doing.”
Spurs are top of Group D, with seven points. They’re followed by Marseille and Sporting, both with six, and Eintracht Frankfurt with four. That means the race for the two spots in the knockout stage is very much open, and the Lions are in London to seek at least a draw.
