Five Talking Points: Tottenham Hotspur vs Olympique Lyonnais
With Gareth Bale‘s sublime free-kick brace giving Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 win in their Europa League Round of 32 game to take to France when they play their return leg against Olympique Lyonnais, here are five talking points from the match.
1.) Expect a host of clubs to come for Gareth Bale in the summer
There is no doubt now that Gareth Bale is the focal point of attack for Tottenham Hotspur. With pace to burn, physical strength, an excellent set-piece delivery and an eye for goal, having Bale in their side would be every manager’s dream.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: Gareth Bale of Spurs scores his team’s match winning second goal from a free kick during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Lyonnais at White Hart Lane on February 14, 2013 in London, England.
Although Spurs have surely known this for some time, Bale will surely be targeted by Europe’s elite in the summer. That being said, he may want to stay at White Hart Lane and rewrite the North London side’s history.
British players don’t often fare well outside the UK, with David Beckham being the one exception to the rule. Michael Owen was on the fringes of the Real Madrid Galactico side and Owen Hargreaves found opportunities lacking at Bayern.
Bale, however, has everything in his armoury to fit into whichever club he moves to in the summer, should he choose to leave White Hart Lane in July.
2.) Olympique Lyonnais have an impressive youth system
When one looks at youth players, one thinks of the Ajax academy in the Netherlands or La Masia in Barcelona.
But Lyon have always had an excellent youth system, churning out world-class talent, some of whom have already made names for themselves.
Several French players, including Karim Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa, Loic Remy, Sidney Govou, Ludovic Giuly, Steed Malbranque, Damien Plessis, Frederic Kanoute and current boss Remi Garde all came from Lyon’s academy.
Last night, Alexandre Lacazette, Samuel Umtiti and skipper Maxime Gonalons – all academy products – took to the field against Spurs alongside Malbranque, with Clement Grenier and Rachid Ghezzal coming on, only to highlight the homegrown talent Lyon possess.
3.) Spurs have strength in depth this season
Andre Villas-Boas made three substitutions last night, and all those who came on were first-teamers. Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jake Livermore and new arrival Lewis Holtby replaced Aaron Lennon, Scott Parker and Clint Dempsey respectively.
This only goes on to highlight the quality Spurs have in every position, with nearly every player on the Spurs roster a full international. What makes it even better is that a multitude of Spurs players are extremely versatile, only adding to their quality on the pitch.
4.) This tie is very finely poised
Not once yesterday could you say that Lyon pressed the panic button. They were just undone by two very good free kicks and at times, looked the better side in the match.
Samuel Umtiti’s away goal means that Lyon have an advantage going into the second leg at the Stade Municipal de Gerland in a week’s time. Given their home comforts, they could go through to the next round.
But one cannot take Spurs – who have been in very good form on the road in Europe this season – out of the equation, given the talent AVB’s squad possesses.
5.) Brad Friedel’s still got it
“I’m too old for this” doesn’t seem to be in Brad Friedel’s vocabulary. The 41-year-old American was in excellent form last night, neutralising everything Lyon through at him.
It was only the sheer ferocity of Umtiti’s strike that took the ball past the former United States international who has given no thought whatsoever to retiring. With ageless performances like this, it seems like he could go on forever.
But whether he will start the return leg against Lyon in France is not yet known. Hugo Lloris left the Stade Gerland in the summer, and will be making an emotional return to the club where he spent four seasons and won two trophies.