Tottenham Hotspur claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Villarreal in North London yesterday, earning Spurs their first three points of the UEFA Champions League group phase.
Tottenham were not at their best, but the Europa League champions still managed to find a way past the La Liga side while keeping a clean sheet.
Spurs particularly struggled down the left flank, where Xavi Simons and Djed Spence are still finding their chemistry.
While Simons provided an assist on his Tottenham debut versus West Ham United, the 22-year-old endured a quiet outing in his first Champions League game in Spurs white.
Simons blew two shots off target, failed to connect with any of his two attempted crosses, and only one of his three dribbles came off.
The Dutchman won only three out of eight ground duels and committed two fouls while losing possession 16 times.
Spence had a more purposeful outing defensively and offensively.
However, it was still easy to tell that he and Simons have not figured out how to dovetail each other, something manager Thomas Frank noted.
The Danish tactician said (via the Standard): “I think it was a step forward against West Ham offensively.
“That is definitely the area where we need to get better, but it’s also a little bit (to improve) the relationship.
“So, Djed Spence and Simons, it’s their second game together. So, too many times they played it too short, or into feet. So, there’s something in that, definitely.
“It’s fair to say (Simons) and Djed need a little relationship, of course, to get going. No complaints, it’s just natural.
“For example, on the right side, Pedro (Porro) and (Mohamed) Kudus, they definitely have something going.
“I think Lucas (Bergvall) came over to that side, it looks right. On the left side, Xavi and Djed, good against West Ham, but it’s not 100 per cent in sync.”
That lack of fluency is understandable, as both players are operating out of position.
Simons is naturally an attacking midfielder but has been pushed wide to the left, while Spence, a right-back by trade, is deputising on the opposite flank.
Until Thomas Frank finds a way to get them in sync tactically, Spurs’ left side will continue to look like a makeshift pairing rather than a natural partnership.
Stats from Sofascore