Tottenham Learn More Champions League Realities in Tough Draw at Leverkusen

First the return, then the response, now a realisation.

If Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League win over CSKA Moscow reinforced the feeling their opening-night disappointment against Monaco was an uncharacteristic blip, this 0-0 draw with Bayer Leverkusen offered what may prove a timely reminder.

Europe’s premier competition can be tough, at times unforgiving.

For 45 minutes, Spurs looked the superior side to Leverkusen. After the interval, they were fortunate to hang on and earn the point that keeps them second in Group E, sandwiched in second place between Monaco and their latest opponents with a point either way.

With just one more away fixture left in the group stage now between two “home” dates at Wembley Stadium, perhaps manager Mauricio Pochettino’s side are over the worst.

Tottenham’s two toughest trips in terms of distance and arguably competition have been navigated with four points and, in parts of their performances at least, they have shown encouraging aptitude for this level.

As a Premier League title challenger last season—and looking like contending again this time—that may be the least they should offer, but the difficulties their divisional peers have had during this decade should be evidence enough that such assumptions are misguided.

They will hope too that familiarity with the Wembley environment now will help them avoid the kind of letdown they experienced against Monaco. Their temporary venue being sold out for the two fixtures means they will have plenty of backing once again.

The greater takeaway from the first half of this season’s group—and certainly the game against Leverkusen—is just how good they will need to be to progress, let alone reach the heights to thrive against even better competition should they make the later rounds (their latest opponents are only 10th in the Bundesliga right now, though they should be pushing on soon enough).

Pochettino was just about spot-on in his pre-match assessment of what Spurs would face at the small but raucous BayArena.

“It’s a team we know very well with very good players and a team that is normally playing in the Champions League, so they have that experience,” the Argentinian told his club’s official website.

“They have players who are very aggressive, who try to press high and are dynamic and aggressive. They like to play on the counter-attack with very quick transition.”

Afterwards, he declared himself “pleased with the point” from a battle with Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt’s team that did not surprise him at all.

“I thought we were better in the first half, they were better in the second half. It was two different halves,” he said, again per the Tottenham website.

“I’m pleased with the effort because this is a team that plays well, plays aggressive and is always difficult to play against here at the BayArena.”

After back-and-forth opening exchanges, Spurs settled well into the contest.

There were some scares at their end. Javier Hernandez was a nuisance popping up all over, while there were hints of the difficulties Spurs would later face defending their flanks directly and via sudden switches. Hakan Calhanoglu definitely should have done better here in the 35th minute, but a poor touch allowed Kieran Trippier to intervene.

Mostly, though, the north Londoners played with the confidence that had …

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