Son Heung-min failed to attack points in the opening match, and the local team received mixed reviews...Tottenham draw 1-1 with promotion team
Aug 20, 2024
|
|
Son Heung-min (Tottenham) showed a disappointing performance in the opening match. Tottenham drew 1-1 in the first round of the English Premier League (EPL) away game against Leicester City in 2024-2025 at King Power Stadium in England on the 20th (Korea time). Tottenham led with Pedro Porro's header first goal in the 29th minute of the first half, but failed to score three points in the 12th minute of the second half, allowing Leicester City's legendary striker Jamie Vardy to equalize.
In the first game of his 10th season after entering the EPL, Son started on the left wing on the day. It was already a foregone position. Tottenham recruited Dominic Solanke, who scored 19 goals last season this summer, for the highest amount in the club's history (£65 million, about 113.3 billion won). It is the frontline resource that Harry Kane was finally recruited after leaving for Bayern Munich last summer. Tottenham used a 'nail' tactic that used Son Heung-min as the front line last season due to Hishalisson's injury and sluggishness. Son Heung-min scored 17 goals and showed a sharp break, but as time went by, he seemed to have gained strength in the striker's position.
Before the game, coach Enze Postecoglou said, `We had to use Son Heung-min in the middle because Hishalisson's injuries were frequent last season"It doesn't mean Son can't play in the center all season, but when Son is on the left, we are a much better team. This is where we wanted to improve." Son started the game from a familiar side.
|
However, it did not meet expectations. It was regrettable that the left-footed cross from the right side in the 8th minute of the first half did not lead to a goal. Solanke's header unfortunately headed in front of the goalkeeper. The most brilliant part of the day was that the first goal started with Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min played 91 minutes, making 63 touches. He made four dribbles, two key passes and one cross, but only one shot. There was no shot on target. His condition was not very good, and his role itself was not aggressive. Rather than trying to break through or shoot, it seemed to focus on connection.
Son Heung-min's evaluation against Leicester City was mixed. Football London gave Son a rating of five. It was the second lowest after Brennan Johnson (4 points), who received the lowest score. Football London had bright moments, sending a cross to Solanke at the beginning, but not enough as captain. He evaluated that it disappeared as the game progressed. 90 min gave a rating of 6 and criticized 'I missed some golden chances with a clumsy touch' It wasn't bad for mechanical evaluations. European soccer statistics site Huscoordcom gave Son a 7.2 rating after the game. It was the third highest score after Porro (7.7 points) and Solanke (7.4 points), who scored the first goal. Footmob also gave a similar rating of 7.3. Porro had the highest score of 8.2 points, Madison had 7.9 points, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario had 7.8.
|
Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur, who collided in an aerial ball competition in the 26th minute of the second half of the day, collapsed. I lost consciousness and bled. He regained consciousness after first aid, but headed straight to the hospital. Bentancourt has been at the center of criticism for his racism towards Son during the offseason. Despite this bad performance, Son Heung-min stayed next to Bentancourt until the end like a captain. Bentancur later reportedly communicated normally.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
