Three things we learned from Spurs’ hard-fought 1-0 win over CSKA

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CSKA’s lack of sharpness a saving grace for Spurs

On a night when Spurs’ lack of ruthlessness could have cost them, they will be thankful that their Russian adversaries didn’t share the same punishing streak that Monaco did in the opening night defeat at Wembley. The Ligue 1 club weathered substantial pressure but were ruthless in front of goal, whereas the Russians failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

They only enjoyed two shots on target, the very same amount that Spurs had, but only totalled nine shots compared to the visitors’ 22. So they needed to put away their chances when they came and failed, with Serbian Zoran Tosic; once on the books of Manchester United, twice firing wide.

CSKA’s tall forward Lacina Traoré – who had a fruitless loan spell at Everton one may recall in the past – also failed to get any joy against a Spurs defence that was relatively comfortable bar a couple of scares. The Ivorian has now failed to score on four separate occasions against Spurs in Europe; twice in Monaco colours, once for another Russian outfit in Anzhi Makhachkala and now on the night for CSKA.

The breaching of their defence also ensured that the Russians equalled a Champions League record set by city rivals Spartak Moscow of conceding in 24 successive games in the competition.

CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky bemoaned his side’s inability to be clinical in the final third, and they now sit bottom in Group E with one point, with a double header against group leaders Monaco to come.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Ai Kagou.