Europa League

Tottenham Hotspur host Austrian side LASK tonight as the 2020-21 Europa League campaign kicks off, and Jose Mourinho’s men will look to quickly put Sunday’s disappointing 3-3 draw with West Ham United behind them. [embedded content] The Portuguese won the Europa League with Porto in 2002-03 and with Manchester United in 2016-17, and he will be keen to do it with Spurs. The North Londoners have been drawn alongside LASK, Ludogorets and Royal Antwerp in Group J, and they are huge favourites to top the group and progress to the round-of-32 with some games to spare. A convincing victory is expected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight, but the hosts can’t afford to belittle any team after some of the experiences they had during the qualifying rounds. Spurs have a decent squad depth after d...

Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and Portuguese midfielder Gedson Fernandes have both been omitted from Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League squad for the group stage campaign. As found on UEFA’s website, the duo won’t be featuring in the group stage of the competition, with head coach Jose Mourinho only allowed to name 17 non-homegrown players. While Gazzaniga became surplus to requirements immediately veteran English goalie Joe Hart was signed, not many expected Fernandes to struggle to make an impact after Spurs pipped competition to his signature in January. Fellow midfielder Harry Winks has hailed him as a “top player”, but he will have to watch his teammates at home every other Thursday until at least the round of 32. Should Spurs progress from Group J that includes Ludogorets, LASK...

According to The Daily Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gedson Fernandes risks missing out on the club’s Europa League squad. Spurs boss Jose Mourinho will name his squad for the European competition today, and with only 17 non-homegrown players allowed in it, the Portuguese faces a decision on who to omit. Third-choice goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga is also expected to miss out after Tottenham could not agree a deal to move him on yesterday. While Mourinho sanctioned a move for Gedson in January, making him his first signing at Spurs, the 21-year-old has struggled to impress, making just one appearance this season. He started just two matches last season, and it remains to be seen whether he can force his way back into contention. Tottenham’s midfield is well-stocked, with Tanguy Ndomb...

According to Football London, Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho has taken South Korean forward Son Heung-min out of the side’s Europa League squad ahead of tonight’s play-off clash against Maccabi Haifa. The 28-year-old is currently out injured having been withdrawn at half-time against Newcastle United on Sunday, and he is a huge doubt for Sunday’s trip to Manchester United and may not see action until after the international break. As a result, Mourinho decided to replace Son in the 25-man squad with Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga last night. Teams are allowed to make changes to their squad up until the night before a match during the qualifying stages of the Europa League. Spurs host the Israeli Premier League side tonight and will look to secure a victory and grab one of...

Tanguy Ndombele spared Tottenham Hotspur’s blushes yesterday against Bulgarian minnows Lokomotiv Plovdiv, bagging the winner to help his side book a place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League following a hard-fought 2-1 win. Spurs found themselves a goal down with only 19 minutes to go, but Harry Kane drew them level from the spot in the 80th minute, while the club-record signing scored to give them the lead five minutes later. Jose Mourinho’s side had 76% possession, attempted 12 shots compared to the hosts’ two, and registered six of them on target. Plovdiv scored with their only shot on target of the clash from their only corner, and centre-back Davinson Sanchez was to blame for both. The 24-year-old was beaten to the ball by Georgi Minchev for the hosts’ goal having cause...

Tottenham Hotspur will face Bulgarian outfit Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the second qualifying round of the Europa League today, and Jose Mourinho’s men will look to quickly bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Everton in their Premier League opener on Sunday. Spurs have made the trip out to Bulgaria for the game, and will also have to travel to either Romania or Macedonia to face the winner between FC Botosani and KF Shkendija if they advance to the third qualifying round. Not everyone travelled with the squad, though, with Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and six other players not part of the trip. Nevertheless, Tottenham have enough quality in their squad to stroll to a comfortable victory over Plovdiv, and the trio of Joe Hart, Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could all be making t...

Tottenham Hotspur booked a place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the second qualifying round in Bulgaria. Jose Mourinho’s men found themselves a goal down with 19 minutes left on the clock after a goalless first-half, but they were handed a huge boost eight minutes later after a Plovdiv player was sent off. Harry Kane equalized from the spot afterwards, and the hosts were further dealt a huge blow after another player was sent off three minutes later. Tottenham scored just two minutes later and with five minutes to go through Tanguy Ndombele, and the Frenchman’s goal was enough to send them through to the next round. Going out at this stage would have been hugely embarrassing for Mourinho and his boys, and the...