Tottenham’s Europa League clash against Roma had everything—goals, drama, and a late twist—but once again, Spurs were undone by their Achilles’ heel: conceding from a set piece. However, Ange Postecoglou still does not see this as a major Spurs problem.
Tottenham‘s Europa League campaign continued with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Roma at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a game filled with moments of brilliance and frustration for the home side.
Spurs got off to a flying start when Heung-min Son coolly dispatched a penalty after Pape Matar Sarr was brought down in the box, sending the home crowd into raptures.
However, their lead was short-lived as Roma equalised through Evan Ndicka, who rose highest to meet a perfectly delivered free-kick from Paulo Dybala, leaving Fraser Forster rooted to the spot.
The home side were undeterred, and Brennan Johnson’s sharp instincts restored Tottenham’s lead, converting a low cutback from Dejan Kulusevski with precision.
It was a goal that showcased Spurs’ attacking fluidity, a hallmark of Postecoglou’s tenure so far. Yet, the story of the match took a familiar turn late on.
Despite a spirited display, Tottenham succumbed in the dying moments as Mats Hummels pounced on a loose ball at the back post, levelling the score and silencing the jubilant Spurs faithful.
Moments like Ndicka’s header and Hummels’ late strike point to a recurring vulnerability in set-piece situations—something that was put to Postecoglou as he faced the media after the match.
Speaking to football.london, Ange Postecoglou expressed his frustration at yet another set-piece goal conceded. The Tottenham manager was direct when asked about the issue, saying: “I don’t know what to say to that.
“I think that’s the third set-piece goal we’ve conceded from this season in about 20 games. I get it, but I don’t know what to say. Let’s move on.”
His remarks underline a sense of exasperation that many Tottenham fans are starting to share, as set pieces have become a recurring problem under the Australian’s tenure.
This was not the first time Postecoglou’s Spurs have been undone in such fashion, with similar lapses costing the team vital points earlier in the season, particularly in the game against Arsenal.
The manager’s typically attacking philosophy has reinvigorated Spurs’ play, but their defensive frailties—particularly from dead-ball situations—continue to undermine their progress.
The goals against Dybala’s Roma serve as yet another reminder of the fine margins that separate success from failure in high-stakes European football.
Set pieces have been Tottenham’s undoing too often, and while Postecoglou was reluctant to dwell on the matter, his post-match comments hint at the need for urgent attention to this area.
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