Spurs handed defensive blow ahead of Europa League opener

After a season away from continental football, there is excitement ahead of returning to Europe for the secondary competition.

With no teams dropping down from the Champions League at a later date, the Premier League outfit are one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Spurs have been handed a favourable schedule as they bid to finish in the top eight of the new 36-team format, which would earn them a place in the last 16 without having to go through a last-32 tie.

Ferencvaros, AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Roma, Rangers, Hoffenheim and Elfsborg are all to come once they have hosted Qarabag FK in their opening fixture.

Spurs missing key defender

While Spurs are the heavy favourites to overcome the Azerbaijani side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they will have to make do without one of their key players.

Cristian Romero will not be available for the clash in North Londoners courtesy of needing to serve a suspension for a red card back in the 2022-23 campaign.

During the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against AC Milan, the Argentina international was sent off for two yellow cards.

As a result of Spurs being eliminated from the competition and not participating in Europe during 2023-24, the one-match ban still exists.

The ban would have only been scrapped from the records had Spurs not qualified for Europe this season, a result of it having a two-year limit.

A blessing in disguise for Postecoglou?

Given his status in the squad, it is fair to assume that Romero may have dropped down to the substitutes' bench for a game against opponents such as Qarabag.

Romero is currently in South America representing Argentina before having to return to take his place in the team against rivals Arsenal on September 15.

Although he could be afforded a break for the EFL Cup tie at Coventry City that follows, the Qarabag fixture on September 26 comes three days before a trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the Premier League.

Therefore, it is plausible that Postecoglou may have rested Romero, instead using Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies in the centre of the backline.