Rude Awakening: Tottenham and PSG taught a brutal European lesson

Tottenham and PSG may take contrasting approaches to dealings in the transfer market but based on performances in the champions League this season, they have a lot in common. Both have an exciting young squad filled with huge
Potential. They also have young managers with burgeoning reputations and sadly, they were both man handled by European heavyweights in the round of 16.

Tottenham have actually had an astonishing Champions League campaign. Many expected them to struggle in the group stages when they were drawn alongside Dortmund and Real Madrid but they easily dispatched both teams and topped their group with minimal fuss. They also outplayed Juventus over both legs in the round of 16 but thing is, playing well in the Champions League is just not enough to win. Proper and effective game management is off the most utmost importance, something experienced campaigners like Juventus have mastered over the years.

After securing a very credible 2-2 draw at the Juventus stadium, Tottenham were in pole position to advance to the next stage. They had everything going for them in the second leg; home support, away goals advantage and an early lead but still blew it all in just three second half minutes. A more experienced team would have to sought to defend their lead and hit the opponents on the counter but Tottenham simply got too comfortable and Juventus Manager, Massimiliano Allegri made two game changing substitutions which turned the tie on it’s head.

PSG on the other hand were handed a reality check by Real Madrid. After signing Neymar for a world record €222 million fee, the Parisiens looked to make a major impact in the Champions League and comfortably negotiating progress from the group stage, they looked capable of such but once again, just like Tottenham, the lacked that European nous to compete against the best and experienced sides in the business end of the tournament. PSG played the better football all round but were guilty of lacking in concentration, especially in the first leg and they now face the embarrassment of being knocked out of the champions League Round of 16 for three consecutive seasons.

Both these teams will have to try again in 2019 but can do so having had to learn the hard way in 2018. The lessons dished out by Juventus and Real Madrid should help them review their abilities and improve in all necessary areas in order to be properly called an European heavyweight.

Round of 16 results
PSG 1 vs 2 Real Madrid (Agg. 2 - 5)
Liverpool 0 vs 0 F.C. Porto (Agg. 5 - 0)
Manchester City 1 vs 2 F.C. Basel (Agg. 5-2)
Tottenham 1 vs 2 Juventus (Agg. 3 - 4)