Tottenham Hotspur get their Europa League marketing campaign underway on Thursday with a go to from Azerbaijani giants Qarabag.
An everyday on the European stage, Qarabag have clashed with English opposition on six events since 2015, however have fallen quick each time, together with towards Spurs within the group stage of this competitors in 2015/16.
They could be clear underdogs heading into this one, however Qarabag is usually a harmful outfit on their day. Listed here are 4 key gamers Spurs have to be cautious of.
Qarabag’s star participant is 27-year-old striker Juninho, who netted 31 objectives in all competitions and already has eight to his title this time round.
Juninho is a flexible sort of ahead who’s snug out on both wing, and would quite damage defenders with the ball at his ft as an alternative of problem them within the air.
Agility is probably Juninho’s strongest asset, so anticipate him to go charging at Spurs’ again line at each given alternative.
Comfy both as a winger or in behind a central striker, Leandro Andrade has developed into an actual purpose menace.
The 25-year-old racked up 15 objectives and 18 assists final season, together with three purpose contributions within the Europa League, and has begun the present marketing campaign in a wealthy vein of kind in entrance of purpose as effectively.
His fast considering and silky motion make him a defender’s nightmare and Spurs should change on to maintain him at bay.
Followers of a sure age might recognise the title of Yassine Benzia. In comparison with Karim Benzema when he was 17, the now 30-year-old was as soon as one of many hottest younger prospects in soccer.
There is no denying Benzia’s profession did not attain the heights many anticipated, however he has nonetheless made a reputation for himself and has been a daily supply of objectives in behind Juninho.
Unsurprisingly with a participant together with his youth expertise, Benzia offers a special stage of technical high quality on this workforce, and that is how he seems to beat his defenders. Brains, not brawn.
The younger star of Azerbaijani soccer, 20-year-old ahead Nariman Akhundzada loved a breakout yr final season, ending with 17 objectives to his title.
He is a lanky, unconventional sort who primarily performs out broad, the place his difficult ft and tall body mix to trigger issues for full-backs. Future Udogie, or whoever performs at left-back for Spurs, can have their work lower out for them.
Akhundzada has already discovered the again of the web 5 instances this season, and he’ll be hoping so as to add to that tally right here.
