Bissouma brilliant, Bentancur rubbish – Tottenham player ratings vs Bodo/Glimt
Tottenham have moved a step closer to the Europa League final following a 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their semi final tie.
Spurs were looking to keep up their hopes of claiming silverware and qualifying for the Champions League this season when they hosted their Norwegian opponent on Thursday (1 May).
It was the perfect start for the hosts, who went 1-0 up inside a minute when Brennan Johnson headed home from close range after Richarlison had nodded the ball across the face of goal.
James Maddison doubled that lead before the break, with a Dominic Solanke penalty on the hour-mark put Tottenham firmly in control of the tie.
Bodo/Glimt though did give themselves hope in the tie late on, when Ulrik Saltnes’ strike deflected off Rodrigo Bentancur and past Guglielmo Vicario.
That means Ange Postecoglou‘s side will take a 3-1 lead into the second leg in Norway next Thursday (8 May).
| Tottenham last five games | Result |
| Wolves (A) | Lost 4-2 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Nottingham Forest (H) | Lost 2-1 |
| Liverpool (A) | Lost 5-1 |
| Bodo/Glimt | Won 3-1 |
Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of this Tottenham squad during that clash with Bodo/Glimt.
Guglielmo Vicario – 6
A deflection left him helpless for the Bodo/Glimt goal, and he hardly had anything else to do in the game.
Pedro Porro – 8
Speculation over a move to Man City for Porro has been played down, but this was a night where he impressed. Largely untroubled defensively, but distribution going forward was outstanding.
Cristian Romero – 5
Romero’s potential Tottenham departure has become a talking point, this though was a mixed evening. Won the penalty for the third but also picked up a stupid booking late on.
Romero baffles late after strong defensive showing
Micky van de Ven – 6
A largely comfortable night for the Dutchman, where he didn’t have a great deal to do defensively, a boost to see him getting a run in the side at this key part of the season.
Destiny Udogie – 5
The visitors looked to target his left-hand side more, and he did have to survive a VAR check for a penalty in the first half.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 4
Tottenham are looking to keep Rodrigo Bentancur amid interest from elsewhere, but this was a below-par night where he struggled to get involved, and was responsible for the deflection that led to the Bodo/Glimt goal.
Yves Bissouma – 9 – Player of the Match
A really good all-round performance. Set the tone with the way he started the move for the opener inside 40 seconds, and made some important contributions defensively as well.
James Maddison and Dominic Solanke injury concerns
Brennan Johnson – 8
An instinctive attacker’s finish to open the scoring, and looked a threat going forward throughout much of the night.
James Maddison (off for Kulusevski, ’65) – 8
Really bright. Took his goal really well and looked a consistent threat. Will have been a major concern to see him limp off midway through the second half.
Richarlison (off for Tel, ’46) – 6
With Son Heung-min still out for Tottenham due to injury, Richarlison started out on the left, produced a good header to set up Johnson for the opener and looked lively before going off at the break.
Dominic Solanke (off for Odobert, ’75) – 7
Continued his good goalscoring form with an audacious finish from the penalty for a potentially important third. A concern to see him limp off.
Substitutes
Mathys Tel (on for Richarlison, ’46) – 5
Didn’t seem to have as much of an impact as Richarlison did prior to him.
Dejan Kulusevski (on for Maddison, ’65) – 5
A quiet outing for the Sweden international after replacing the injured Maddison, other than one shot across goal in the final seconds.
Wilson Odobert (on for Solanke, ’75) – 5
Came on to help see things out after Solanke limped off.