CSKA Moscow vs. Tottenham Hotspur: 2016 Champions League Match Score, Reaction

Son Heung-min scored to give Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow at the Arena CSKA in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. It means Tottenham are off the mark in Group E, having recovered from the disappointing defeat to Monaco on Matchday 1. 

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino reshuffled the pack defensively, starting Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies at full-back. Meanwhile, Son got a start up front in the absence of usual goal-getter Harry Kane.

BT Sport Football relayed the full Tottenham starting XI:

.@ErikLamela returns to the @SpursOfficial starting line-up as they look to get off the mark in this season’s #UCL. pic.twitter.com/oBH5NImqQV

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) September 27, 2016

Kane’s absence meant Spurs were relying on Vincent Janssen for inspiration up front. However, the former AZ Alkmaar man struggled to impose himself during a dour first half when CSKA’s experience showed.

The Russian outfit is an old hand in Europe, and coach Leonid Slutsky proved his nous by setting up a team that stymied Spurs at every turn. One of the hallmarks of the hosts’ approach was to hunt in packs, constantly getting numbers around the man in possession.

This snap from Squawka News best summed up the strategy:

CSKA have done their homework on Spurs. That’s three people closing down the in-form Heung-min Son. pic.twitter.com/EvWtyyUdPi

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) September 27, 2016

CSKA’s swarming pressing destroyed the rhythm of Spurs’ passing. Runners off the ball also found themselves routinely blocked off as the Moscow team held its shape superbly.

Congestion in the middle left Janssen starved of service. …

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