Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas refused to rule out the prospect of going through in the Europa League after his side threw away a 1-0 lead against Panathinaikos last night.
Tottenham were in cruise control after http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tom-Huddlestone-c35227 free kick as Tottenham deservedly took the lead.
Panathinaikos had pretty much been second best as Tottenham enjoyed majority of the ball and carved chance after chance. The hosts did not have a reply for the visitors and spent most of the game in their own half.
However, they awoke from slumber towards the end as a late Toche strike in the dying minutes of the game helped them salvage a vital draw. Tottenham had switched off after failing to put the game to bed, and once again were punished for their lack of urgency.
Villas-Boas was clearly disappointed when the game ended, and will rue this missed opportunity to go up in group J. This is Spurs’ second draw in the group stages of the Europa League, and puts them at 3rd spot behind http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 and Maribor.
Having stressed on the importance of the tournament, the manager needs his side to get a result quick so that they progress on to the next stage.
The Portuguese manager still remains optimistic and refused to be ruled out.
"I don't think we were complacent," he said. “We have to give credit to Panathinaikos, they pressed much more and started to gain belief from that and that led to the goal.”
"I think the whole team felt a bit disappointed because the first half was so positive and we were in control of situation.”
The manager admitted that his side were a bit complacent in the second half and lacked urgency. He added:
"We were a bit sloppy in the second half. I understand the disappointment at not putting the game to bed, but in the end we congratulated the players because if it had been other way round, the whole perspective would have been different.”
The tournament remains a major priority for Villas-Boas, who last won it with his former club Porto two seasons ago.
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