Tottenham Hotspur's preparations for their Europa League group stage opener have been dealt a significant blow with defender Cristian Romero ruled out through injury. The Argentine centre-back's absence adds to manager Ange Postecoglou's growing defensive concerns ahead of Thursday's clash with Spanish outfit Real Betis.
Injury Woes Mount for Spurs
Romero joins fellow defenders Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie on the sidelines, creating a defensive crisis for Postecoglou just as European competition resumes. The Australian manager confirmed the setback following Tottenham's dramatic 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
"We've got a few issues from today," Postecoglou admitted post-match. "Cuti [Romero] felt his hamstring, so he'll miss Thursday's game. Micky and Destiny are still unavailable, which certainly tests our depth."
European Campaign Under Threat
The timing couldn't be worse for Spurs, who begin their Europa League journey against dangerous opposition. Real Betis, currently sitting sixth in La Liga, present a formidable challenge for a potentially patched-up Tottenham defence.
Postecoglou remained pragmatic about the situation, stating: "It's part of football. We'll assess the squad and put out a team that can compete. European nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are special, and we need to rise to the occasion."
Forest Victory Comes at a Cost
While Tottenham secured three important Premier League points against Nottingham Forest, the victory proved costly. The match saw both Romero and Forest's Brazilian defender Murillo sustain injuries that will keep them out of immediate action.
Postecoglou's men showed character to come from behind after Forest took an early lead, with second-half goals turning the game around. However, the physical toll of the encounter has left Spurs facing selection headaches for their European commitments.
As Tottenham prepare to welcome Real Betis to North London, all eyes will be on how Postecoglou reshuffles his defensive line and whether Spurs can overcome their injury troubles to start their Europa League campaign on a positive note.
