Thu 21 October 2021, 11:30
Tottenham HotspurNuno Espirito Santo is feeling positive ahead of this evening’s UEFA Europa Conference League group match against Vitesse Arnhem (5.45pm UK).
We flew out to the Netherlands on Wednesday on the back of successive wins against NS Mura, Villa and Newcastle and now prepare for Matchday Three in Group G. We sit top of the group on goal difference from Stade Rennais with four points, Vitesse are a point behind having beaten NS Mura but losing out late to Rennes last time out.
Currently sixth in the Dutch Eredivisie, Vitesse qualified for the group stage after beating Vincent Kompany’s Anderlecht in the play-off. They’ve won five of their nine league games so far and won their local derby against NEC last time out.
“They are very aggressive, very dynamic, a back three becomes a back five, not too many gaps and really dangerous on the counter,” Nuno told us before flying out. “No matter which competition, teams are always tough, especially at home. We felt that in France, in Portugal and this will be tough, but I’m really positive about what we want to do in terms of our game, so let’s put our tasks in the game, give freedom to the players, and we will need all our players, just look at the schedule ahead...”
Indeed, this is the second match of a run of seven in 21 days in all competitions in-between the October and November international breaks - including Burnley in the Carabao Cup and two matches in the Europa Conference League.
How did Nuno and his coaching team prepare for that? “We have a general view, and approach it game by game, decide which players will get involved... we plan a little ahead but in terms of what is more important, it’s every game at a time. Now, we prepare for Vitesse.”
Nuno is naturally delighted with the squad’s response to the tough loss at Arsenal (26 September) and those three wins since, particularly how we’ve played against Villa and Newcastle.
“I’m very proud of the way we came out of that situation,” he said. “We kept working together, helping each other and I feel we’re improving, getting better, playing better football. It’s all about that, playing good football.”
