Europa Conference League is meaningless
The European Third Division - Europa Conference League was born as a way for UEFA to target football teams from small football backgrounds across Europe. This group will have the opportunity to aim for a title, instead of just focusing on the Champions League or Europa League group stage.
In terms of appearance, the Europa Conference League will probably satisfy mid-level teams that play in the European Cup and have the opportunity to compete for titles. However, for Tottenham - the Champions League runner-up just 3 years ago, that is not the real goal.
Tottenham are "thirsty" for titles, but what they need is the Premier League, Champions League or at least the second division of Europa League. Being only 7th in the domestic league last season and having to participate in the Conference League was an accident for the "Roosters". It is not necessarily a glorious event if they continue to play with weakness, progress deep and win the European Third Division. Even the highest prize is only a place in the Europa League next season.
In addition, the intention of playing in the Conference League also means Tottenham must spread their forces on many fronts, creating risks for the main goals of the domestic title and the ticket back to the Champions League. Leaving the European Third Division early is also a good solution for coach Nuno Santo and his team.
A " Accident" in testing?
Unlike the Champions League and Europa League, no team has been officially present in the Europa Conference League group stage. Small football teams will play from the preliminary rounds, while teams in the top 5 European national championships will also have to go through the play-off round of 2 matches. This form of exercise creates attractiveness but is also a method to create... accidents.
If Tottenham have to play directly in the group stage, it will be very difficult to see if they play superficially in many consecutive matches and stop. Meanwhile, no one can break the curse if the "Roosters" accidentally stumble in the play-off round.
Pacos de Ferreira is not the "big guy" of Portuguese football like Porto, Benfica or Sporting Lisbon. However, they have experience participating in the UEFA Cup (season 2007-08) and Europa League (season 2009-10 and 2013-14), so they are not easy to bully. Losing to the 5th place in the Portuguese championship is not a big deal, especially coach Nuno Santo emphasizes the experimental nature of the squad.
As in the home match against Pacos deerreira, Spurs built a series of pillars such as Son Heung-min, Dele Alli, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane so that the new recruits, reserve teams and many players could show their ability. Giovanni Lo Celso, Matt Doherty, Ben Davies, Harry Winks are individuals who need to regain their form, while the three new recruits Bryan Gil, Cristian Romero and pierluigi Gollini have not yet integrated. The highest-rated duo in attack, Dane Scarlett and Nile John are on the U23 squad.
Tottenham lost a match they were not determined to win. Most importantly, coach Nuno Santo still controlled the situation. Harry Kane has returned to training with the whole team and can completely play in the second leg, if Spurs are determined to turn the situation around. Or else, the reform process is still continuing and the highest goal is still to preserve the force for tasks in the domestic tournament.
