Tottenham Hotspur fans have been dealt a blow as one of their key players has sustained an injury.
Spurs supporters are eagerly anticipating the 2024/25 season, buoyed by the promise shown during Ange Postecoglou’s first campaign. Optimism is high that his second season will be even more successful.
One of the significant challenges for Tottenham last season was the frequency of injuries. Key players like James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, and Manor Solomon all faced substantial time on the sidelines. As the new season approaches, the hope was for better luck with injuries. However, misfortune has struck again, with one player getting injured while on international duty.
Rodrigo Bentancur Leaves the Pitch in Tears
Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been outstanding since his arrival from Juventus in January 2022, has once again found himself on the injury list. Bentancur quickly became a mainstay in Spurs’ midfield, delivering numerous impressive performances. His impact was arguably greater than Dejan Kulusevski’s, despite the latter’s more fan-favored displays.
In February 2023, Bentancur suffered a severe knee injury that sidelined him for eight months. Shortly after his return, he injured his ankle, which kept him out for nearly four weeks. Despite these setbacks, Bentancur managed to stay fit for the remainder of the season and earned a call-up to the Uruguay national team for Copa America 2024 by Marcelo Bielsa.
Bentancur, praised as an “unbelievable player” by teammate Heung-min Son on the club’s website, had only featured as a substitute in Uruguay’s first four games of the tournament. However, he was given a starting role in the semi-final against Colombia.
Injury in the Semi-Final
Bentancur started the match strongly but got injured in the first half. In an attempt to tackle Jhon Arias, Bentancur and teammate Mathias Olivera collided more with each other than with the Colombian player. Despite appearing to be in considerable pain, Bentancur initially tried to continue playing but had to signal for a substitution in the 33rd minute.
El Observador, a Uruguayan media outlet, reported: “After 25 minutes he started running with difficulty. After 32 minutes he asked for the change, because it was noticeable that he couldn’t take it anymore. He left crying from the pitch after 33 minutes, and his injury disorganized the team that minutes later suffered a 1-0 goal.”
Impact on Uruguay
With Brazil eliminated, Uruguay was among the favorites to win the Copa America, alongside Argentina. Bielsa’s tactical acumen made them serious contenders. Bentancur was tasked with neutralizing Colombia’s star player, James Rodriguez, and he performed this role effectively at the game’s outset.
However, Bentancur’s injury disrupted Uruguay’s defensive structure. Jefferson Lerma scored for Colombia just five minutes after Bentancur’s exit. Despite Colombia playing with ten men for the entire second half, Uruguay struggled to regain control and eventually lost the match.
Looking Ahead
The news of Bentancur’s injury is a significant concern for Tottenham as they prepare for the new season. Postecoglou will undoubtedly be worried about the fitness of one of his most important players. Bentancur’s situation will be closely monitored as Spurs fans hope for a swift and complete recovery for the influential midfielder.
