Tottenham started their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win against MK Dons at Hotspur Way on Wednesday evening.
Match overview
Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali started together for the first time after signing for a combined £185 million earlier this month. Youngsters Luca Williams-Barnett and Mikey Moore featured in the second half. Fernandes scored an early volley to give Spurs the win, as Roberto De Zerbi got a first look at his squad. New signing Martin Dubravka also played, with De Zerbi naming two completely different lineups for each half.
Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke were not risked after returning to pre-season training only this week following a break after the World Cup. Both will travel with the 35-man squad to New Zealand and Australia for the pre-season tour.
Three players who impressed
Mateus Fernandes opened the scoring with a volley that hit the post and went in. He settled into the game, passing through the lines and setting the tempo. He showed promise dropping deep and pushing forward. Fernandes said after the match that he aims to add more goals and assists this season.
Luca Williams-Barnett, a highly regarded academy prospect, was introduced at half-time and impressed in the second half. He drifted through challenges, picked passes, and skipped past markers. Though Spurs did not add to their lead, he kept creating opportunities.
Malachi Hardy gave an assured performance, keeping a clean sheet. He made a superb block early in the second half and showed ability on the ball. The 18-year-old centre-back, who recently signed a new long-term deal, is highly regarded at the club.
