Dan Petrescu takes aim at ‘unprepared’ Tottenham ahead of Europa League clash

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CFR Cluj manager Dan Petrescu has warned Tottenham that they could be knocked out of the Europa League before the group stages (Digi Sport).

The former Chelsea defender has also told Jose Mourinho that potential third qualifying round opponents Botosani will have a tougher game in their second-round match than they would against Spurs.

The Romanian outfit must get past Shkendija of Macedonia first and if Tottenham defeat Lokomotiv Plovdiv that two sides will meet.

Petrescu oversaw two wins for Cluj against Botosani last season but is backing them should they end up facing the Premier League outfit.

He told Digi Sport: “Don’t think that it is a big surprise if Botosani beats Tottenham, you will see, I say there are 50-50 chances!

“You will see that Tottenham is unprepared, the English are poorly prepped and it will be harder with Shkendija for Botosani.”

Whether Petrescu still has an axe to grind from his days playing for Tottenham’s bitter rivals, Chelsea, who knows.

It seems unlikely that Mourinho will be losing too much sleep, however, over potentially facing a team who finished third in a pretty ordinary Romanian top-flight.

Tottenham have quality throughout their squad and a professional performance should see them through whoever they face.

Mourinho knows his team has the quality to comfortably reach the group stages and the boss will have his eyes on progressing even further in the competition.

The Tottenham incumbent knows he must get it right next season and winning trophies should be at the top of his list.

Having won the Europa League previously, it might be a competition that he chooses to prioritise during 2020/21.