Ange Postecoglou confirms Micky van de Ven injury and provides Cristian Romero latest

In a thrilling Carabao Cup encounter, Tottenham Hotspur emerged victorious against Manchester City, winning 2-1. However, the match was overshadowed by concerns over player injuries, particularly that of Micky van de Ven.

Following the game, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed that van de Ven had suffered a hamstring issue during the match. Despite the setback, he expressed optimism regarding the condition of Cristian Romero and Timo Werner, who were also substituted.

The injury to van de Ven occurred early in the game as he sprinted back to tackle Savinho, clutching the back of his right leg. The Dutch defender, who began the match playing as left-back, showed visible signs of distress before being replaced by Destiny Udogie.

Postecoglou provided an update on van de Ven’s condition, stating, “Micky felt something in his hamstring. I haven’t got the full update on him, but he definitely felt something, and we’ll see how he is.” This situation is particularly concerning given that van de Ven missed a significant portion of last season due to a similar hamstring injury.

Romero’s substitution came shortly after the break, while Werner left the pitch after appearing to pull up while taking a corner kick. Postecoglou noted that Romero was experiencing fatigue and considered replacing him at halftime.

However, the coach opted to retain Romero on the pitch to avoid losing another centre-back after van de Ven’s injury. “Cuti was a bit tired,” Postecoglou mentioned. “He said he felt okay, but my gut was telling me there’s no point taking a risk as we had Benny who could come on. Timo hasn’t played a lot, so I felt it was more fatigue, hopefully, than anything else.”

Despite these injury concerns, Spurs delivered a commendable performance, with first-half goals from Werner and Pape Matar Sarr securing their place in the quarter-finals against Manchester United. Postecoglou emphasized the significance of the victory, stating, “It was an important win. Obviously, in cup competitions, you have to win to continue, so that is the first thing.”

He acknowledged the challenges posed by Manchester City, a formidable opponent known for their attacking prowess.

Postecoglou praised his team’s defensive efforts, highlighting their ability to limit clear-cut chances for City. “I thought we defended well as we didn’t give away many clear-cut opportunities, but we did have to defend, and I thought we did that well,” he explained.

Additionally, he noted that Spurs had opportunities to extend their lead but failed to capitalize on them, which added an element of tension to the match.

The resilience displayed by the squad was commendable, especially given the caliber of the opposition. “When you play City, they’re going to ask you every question there is, and for the most part, I thought we handled it okay,” Postecoglou stated.

The manager’s comments reflect the team’s growing confidence and cohesion as they navigate the pressures of high-stakes competitions.

As Spurs look ahead, the focus will undoubtedly be on the health and fitness of van de Ven, Romero, and Werner. The upcoming matches will test the squad’s depth and adaptability, especially with the prospect of facing a top-tier team like Manchester United in the next round.

The commitment shown by the players, combined with Postecoglou’s tactical acumen, will be crucial in their pursuit of silverware this season.

In summary, Tottenham’s win against Manchester City was not only a testament to their skill and determination but also raised questions about player fitness as they move forward in the competition.

As they prepare for the challenges ahead, the Spurs faithful will be eager to see how the team addresses these injury concerns while maintaining their competitive edge.

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