This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Serge Aurier was in genuinely excellent form as Tottenham Hotspur beat Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
On the chalkboard
The Ivory Coast international was in mixed form under Mauricio Pochettino prior to the Argentine’s sacking, conceding a penalty against Liverpool and also being sent off against Southampton.
But on Tuesday, he was exceptional as Jose Mourinho’s men came from 2-0 down to beat the Greek side 4-2.
Aurier provided a somewhat fortunate assist for Dele Alli’s first goal – the defender in front of Alli inexplicably sliced his clearance – but then scored a screamer in the second half, bending a sublime half-volley into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
Per WhoScored, the 26-year-old registered two key passes in total, had a passing accuracy of 88%, won two aerial duels and also made two clearances.
Surprisingly, he didn’t actually win a tackle, nor did he even attempt one.
Clever management
This is tactically astute management from Mourinho.
Aurier is not the best defensive performer – he averages a foul per game in the Premier League and 1.7 per game in the Champions League – and is better suited to playing further forward.
That was best emphasised by his display against Olympiacos.
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Not only did he get forward, but he did it with aplomb, making a massive impact in the final third and continually threatening with his deliveries.
His goal was the icing on the cake and it suggests that he will continually be utilised as a full-back-cum-winger, instead of merely being a defensive player, where his weaknesses are all the more exposed.
He has shown that he can make that role his own.
Meanwhile, Spurs fans have hit out at one star for his performance.
