Tottenham Hotspur’s New Faces Experience a Mixed Night in ICC Loss to Juventus

Mauricio Pochettino has been a manager long enough now he knows what to expect, and what to hope for, from pre-season. His Tottenham Hotspur side’s 2-1 loss to Juventus in an International Champions Cup fixture in Melbourne, Australia, went just about to type.

“We will try to improve in all the areas we need to improve and to see what we do, not to see the teams in front of us,” he told Tottenham’s official website ahead of Tuesday’s match.

“The most important thing in these games is for us to improve our physical condition and to arrive in the best condition for the start of the season against Everton in August.”

Juventus were Spurs’ fourth opponent of the summer but their first not behind closed doors. The result was not too important, but those playing will have been well aware chances to impress are running out.

Mauricio: “It was a very good second half & in the end I’m happy. It’s not about the result it’s about pre-season.” pic.twitter.com/KGTYZvtlhm

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 26, 2016

Faces new and old were handed opportunities to make those improvements with involvement in the Premier League’s opening weekend in mind. It was a mixed night for both groups, though understandably, the performances of the new—recent signings and untested academy talent—were of most interest on this occasion.

Described by Pochettino to the club’s website as “a perfect player for us,” Tottenham’s first summer 2016 signing Victor Wanyama may need to be close to that if he is to break into the club’s enviable midfield with any regularity.

Dele Alli, as well as the more likely chief central midfield rivals for playing time—Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier—have not yet returned from their extended post-Euro 2016 breaks. Tasked with helping his defence deal with talents such as Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic, this was an ideal test for Wanyama to show his comparative credentials in a Spurs shirt.

Overall, the Kenyan should be pleased with this public introduction to his new fans.

In a timid first-half showing from his new team-mates, the former Southampton player was Spurs’ most assured performer. In a more improved, substitute-augmented second, he was just as keen.

Individually, Wanyama started as he intended to go on. In his first contribution, he beat a threatening Mario Lemina to the ball, shielded it and won a free-kick.

There was little he could do about either Dybala or Medhi Benatia’s goals—a swift break for the first, poor marking following a corner for the second—but thereafter did his best to provide a protective presence for young centre-backs Dominic Ball and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Albeit aided by Juventus easing off somewhat, Wanyama also began seeing plenty of the ball. He made helpful angles for others and accurately spread play around as Spurs started to go somewhere.

The second-half tackle that led to Erik Lamela’s goal was typical of the calculated assertiveness Wanyama attempted to show. Pochettino will certainly like more of that heading into the season.

It proved a tougher night for Wanyama’s fellow new recruit Vincent Janssen.

Like the midfielder, Janssen was able to stake his own claim for playing time with last season’s top scorer Harry Kane still away. The two forwards may end up being used in conjunction regardless, but demonstrating his capabilities leading the line solo was not going to hurt.

The Dutchman lived up to Pochettino’s billing, again per Tottenham’s website, of a player “that likes to fight and work for the team.” There was little to fault with his intent throughout.

He looked to play on the shoulder when an opening beckoned and presented himself deeper …

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