Nuno defends his squad rotation after Spurs defeat to Vitesse

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo has said his goal was on improving Tottenham’s young players after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Vitesse in the Europa Conference League.

Maximilian Wittek’s strike in the second half was enough to see Thomas Letsch’s dominant outfit past a sorry Spurs, who have won just two of their last eight away games in Europe.

The midfielder’s left-footed half-volley also ended Tottenham’s five-game unbeaten run in the Netherlands in the 21st century, while they remain winless in 2021-22 on the road across three games in European competition.

Despite pressing on for a late equalizer, Tottenham Hotspur had to settle for a 1-0 loss at Vitesse, and manager Nuno has defended his squad rotation. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

Speaking after the loss, head coach Nuno Espirito, who chose to rest star forwards Son Heung-min and Harry Kane for the trip to Arnhem, refused to lament his side’s performance as he pointed towards a busy schedule requiring rotation of his squad.

“It was a tough match. I think we competed well. In terms of attack, I think we should finish the actions better. Some combinations were missing,” the Spurs boss said.

“I knew that the game was going to be tough. I am not here to judge the players, I am here to try and improve them. The analysis and the judgment we do it behind closed doors like you can understand.”

Rennes sits top of Group G, five points clear of Spurs at the halfway point, while Vitesse sits in second on six points.

However, Nuno appeared calm as he suggested his team can bounce back with their next three games in the competition as they look to make the knockout stages.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno who spoke after the match has defended his option of squad rotation in the 1-0 defeat at Vitesse in the Conference League. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

“I think we have two games at home against Vitesse and Rennes, and then we have to play Mura. We can solve the situation of the group,” Nuno said, before defending teenage forward Dane Scarlett who struggled against the three-man defense of Vitesse.

“Dane is 17 years old. It is tough for him, but many of our players who are under 17 are not involved in first-team football,” Nuno said. “Experience comes when he competes against top professionals as he did against Vitesse today.”

Nuno’s side will be back to Premier League action on Sunday when they make a short trip to the London Stadium in a London Derby clash with in-form West Ham United – who enjoyed a Europa League victory on Thursday night.