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Micky van de Ven was handed the captain’s armband for the first time under Thomas Frank in Tottenham’s Champions League clash against Bodo/Glimt, and the Dutch defender has now opened up on what it meant to lead the side.
Tottenham Hotspur were staring down the face of a second defeat under new boss Thomas Frank when they travelled to the Arctic Circle to face Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League.
Spurs found themselves two goals down in the second half after an abysmal first-half showing, where they defended deep and invited wave after wave of pressure from the Norwegian outfit.
Glimt had the best chance of the tie in the first half after they were awarded a penalty following a lazy challenge from Rodrigo Bentancur, but their blushes were spared when Hogh fired over from the spot.
Micky van de Ven opens up on being Tottenham captain in the Champions League
Frank named a new captain for the Champions League tie, with Micky van de Ven taking the armband for the first time this season, leading Tottenham out under the European lights.
It was the Dutchman who pulled one back for Frank’s men when they needed it most, and he has now spoken about what the moment meant to him and his family, reflecting on the pride of captaining the side for the first time.
Speaking to the club’s official channel, Van de Ven said it was a moment of huge personal pride: “Yeah really proud moment happy to help the team as well today and I was hoping for a better performance for our team but I am happy with the point and I am really proud of myself and my family members.”
When asked if wearing the armband brought added responsibilities, he insisted it did not change his approach: “No no no I just did what I always needed to do that is it yeah.”
The Spurs defence had plenty to do for most of the game. While they battled bravely in the opening forty-five minutes, Glimt’s constant pressure eventually broke through, leaving Tottenham to chase the game before Van de Ven’s crucial response.
Spurs still on course for qualification
Last campaign in the Champions League, four home wins and four away draws were enough for a top-eight finish, with 20 points from eight games proving sufficient.
So far this season, Tottenham have managed one win and a draw away from home; however, if they are to secure automatic qualification to the round of 16, they will need to be ruthless and efficient at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while also picking up one or two more wins on their travels.
In the meantime, though, attention will now turn to the Premier League, where Tottenham are set to face newly promoted Leeds United.
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