José Mourinho accuses Tottenham players of lack of motivation after the Europa League draw with LASK | Football news

Tottenham manager José Mourinho accused some of his players of lack of motivation after they struggled to draw 3-3 at LASK in the Europa League.

One point was all the Spurs needed to seal their qualification to the last 32 and while goals from Gareth Bale, Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli ensured progress with a game to spare, the visitors weren’t at their best in Austria.

LASK dominated the first half and caused trouble throughout, with the visiting team’s substitute goalkeeper Joe Hart missing two of the goals.

Asked about what he learned at the Linzer Stadion, Mourinho insisted: “Nothing new really.

“The fact that the Europa League group stage doesn’t motivate some of the players, I knew it.

That some players are fundamental for us and I always need a couple of these players on the field, in any circumstance, to give the team a bit of balance.

Sunday, December 6 4:15 pm

Start 4:30 pm

“For example, (Pierre-Emile) Hojbjerg and Sonny, without them I don’t think we would have a positive result. Actually, nothing I learn about. The players know and I share my feelings with them, I’m usually right.

“When I saw the warm-up before the game, I had a feeling and told the players before the game that there was a big difference in intensity, communication and enthusiasm in their warm-up and in our warm-up because I was watching both. Nothing surprises me.”

Kane is ‘not in big trouble’

Mourinho provided a positive update on Harry Kane, revealing that the forward “is not in big trouble” and should be fit to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Mourinho revealed on Wednesday that the England captain would miss Thursday’s trip to Austria with an unconfirmed problem, and that the forward had a “chance” of being fit for the North London derby.

“I think he’s going to be in shape,” Mourinho said at his post-match press conference.

“I’m not sure, he’s in treatment.

“But now he could be bluffing or trying to pretend he’s in big trouble. He’s not in big trouble. I think he’s going to play.”

Tottenham enters the weekend at the top of the Premier League table after being undefeated from day one of the season, with Kane’s form a crucial factor in their success.

Kane has scored seven goals and contributed nine assists in 10 Premier League appearances this season, forming a formidable partnership with Son Heung-Min, who has nine league goals.

The Spurs won a hard-fought point in a goalless draw against Chelsea in form last weekend, but are hoping their forwards have more chances against a low-confidence Arsenal side.

Mikel Arteta’s team has three Premier League matches without winning and sits 14th in the standings ahead of the match, which is live Sky sports.

‘The fans have the privilege of coming back for the derby’

0:18

The derby will see fans return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time since March after the government relaxed restrictions on spectators attending live games.

Two thousand Spurs fans will be in the stadium to watch their team try to beat their biggest rivals and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Mourinho welcomed the move and said: “I think this moment will be a privilege. They will feel privileged to be one of the 2,000 fans.”

“But it is only the first step. As soon as possible, football will return to normal.”

MNF Extra: How José’s Tactics Have Evolved

4:56

When José Mourinho was at Manchester United, something didn’t feel right. Maybe it was the adjustment and also the way José was.

We always used to refer to the ‘Mourinho masterclasses’ when he won matches and that he was wiser, smarter and cuter than rival coaches. There has been an element of disrespect in recent years whereby his style of play has been criticized for being outdated and the game has now passed him by.

After scoring four points in his last two Premier League games, Gary Neville believes José Mourinho has found success by innovating an old tactic …