Eric Dier: “As kids, it’s your dream to play in the Champions League”
Thu 08 September 2022, 15:05|
Tottenham Hotspur
Eric Dier fully understood Richarlison’s outpouring of emotion after a match winning display on his UEFA Champions League debut as we toppled Marseille 2-0 in our Group D opener on Wednesday evening.
‘Richy’ told us when he joined the Club in July how much playing in the competition for the first time would mean to him and it was a dream debut for the boy from Brazil with two incredible headers seeing us home to a vital first win in the group against stubborn opponents from Ligue 1.
Richarlison was in tears after meeting his family pitchside after the final whistle and, speaking afterwards to SPURSPLAY, Eric wasn’t surprised to see that reaction. “As kids, it’s your dream to play in the Champions League, to play in these European nights is the best thing in Club football and very special for all of us,” he said.
“We’ve all worked extremely hard to be in position to play in it and Richy is no exception. I’m sure it meant a lot to him. He’s someone who really plays with his heart on his sleeve, every day, in training, in matches and I can’t speak highly enough of him, his character, the way he works every day and his patience having not played too much at the beginning of the season. He’s come into the side in the last two games and his impact is there for all to see.
“They were great headers as well. He’s very strong in the air, and that’s maybe a part of his game that’s surprised me a little since he arrived. He’s such a threat in the air and physically so strong.”
Reflecting further on the game, Eric spoke about three headers that defined the win - of course, Richy’s superb finishes on 75 and 81 minutes, but not forgetting a late block from Ben Davies to keep our clean sheet intact. Ben lost his footing as Luis Suarez prepared to shoot just six yards out, but then threw himself in front of the ball, head first, deflecting the effort wide.
“Ben did fantastically well. He lost his footing and then went with his head. It was an incredible piece of defending. We wanted to keep hold of that clean sheet! It would have been disappointing to have lost it at the end. It’s something we always talk to each other about, as defenders, if we keep a clean sheet, these guys will create chances and score goals. So, we have to keep doing that and if we do, we’ll win matches.”
