Lior Refaelov’s 29th minute goal for Royal Antwerp against Tottenham Hotspur was the difference between the two sides in the Europa League clash on Thursday.
Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg is in full praise of the Jupiler Pro League side and their manager Ivan Leko.
HBVL state Leko ‘guided every action’ on the pitch ‘like a conductor’ and ‘like a puppeteer’, he put his men in the ‘right place’. They add each and every Royal Antwerp player was ‘up to standard’ against the north London club.
Dieumerci Mbokani, who said yesterday that Tottenham followed him closely in the past, assisted Refaelov’s goal.
Regarding the only goal of the match, the outlet explained Mbokani ‘forced [Ben] Davies to make a mistake on the half hour, who was in the place of [Toby] Alderweireld – a pity for the Antwerp resident in heart and soul. He then passed to Refaelov, who closed his eyes and shot hard in the goal. A 34-year-old who hit the spot on the assist of another 34-year-old: The Great Old at its best.’
José Mourinho made four substitutions after the break as he brought on Son Heung-min, Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. The Portuguese tactician also brought Harry Kane on for Gareth Bale in the 58th minute.
Despite having several of their star players in the second half, HBVL suggests Royal Antwerp were the ‘best and the most dangerous team’.
Regarding the multiple substitutions after the first half, Leko said: “Mourinho had to make four replacements at half time: he probably never had to do that.” 
On his side’s win, the Belgium club’s manager explained: “Look, normally we have no chance against a team like this. Tottenham have a fantastic team. They will compete for the title in the Premier League and are one of the favourites in the Europa League.
“But we managed to convince our players that we could make it difficult for them. We did. We got closer to 2-0 and 3-0 than they got to 1-1.”
Another Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws have their take on Spurs’ defeat to Antwerp. The outlet says Mourinho was ‘hidden’ in his dugout in the first half.
HLN were highly critical of Mourinho’s men as they add the English side were ‘trumped in aggressiveness, hunger, and passion. Antwerp ran more, fought more, was simply ‘more’ in everything. If this had been for the fans, we would undoubtedly have witnessed a historical football experience at the Bosuil. The roof [would] had come off.’
Having won the first two matches of the European competition, Antwerp are top of the table, three points ahead of second placed Tottenham and third placed LASK.
