Tottenham star sets two unwanted European records as Dominic Solanke equals 17-year feat set by talkSPORT host
09/26/2024 04:04 PM
Radu Dragusin lasted just seven minutes before he was sent off for Tottenham in their Europa League victory over Qarabag.
The Romanian defender found himself in hot water after he was caught in possession by forward Juninho early in the match.
Dispossessed just inside his own half, the 22-year-old attempted to win the ball back from the pacey Juninho, but was unable to handle his speed.
As a result, Dragusin hauled him down to the ground with no other Spurs players around him.
That meant that the referee had no choice but to issue the centre-back with a straight-red card for conducting a professional foul.
Dragusin is the first player to be sent off on his debut in a major European competition for Tottenham.
Meanwhile his seventh minute red card is Spurs’ earliest from the start of a major European match.
Reacting to the red card on talkSPORT 2’s live coverage, Scott Minto said: “It's the right decision. Dragusin is trying to be too casual but when you're the last man you have to be careful.
"We talked about Juninho is like – really sharp, really quick and in the best form of his career – just don't mess with it there.
"He's let it come across his body and Juninho has nicked in and he would have gone through – there was no one around and was through on goal against Vicario.
"It's the worst possible start for Spurs."
This came after the clash was delayed by 35 minutes due to severe travel disruption around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Dragusin was drafted into Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI as a result of Cristian Romero being suspended.
Romero was serving a ban as a result of the last time that Tottenham were in Europe 18 months ago.
The Argentine star was red-carded for two bookable offences in the Champions League last-16 clash with AC Milan, but only now has he had the chance to serve the suspension.
As a result of Dragusin’s sending off, Postecoglou was forced to take off Lucas Bergvall, replacing him with Destiny Udogie for more defensive cover.
Thankfully for Spurs, the red card didn’t impact them too much with Brennan Johnson putting them 1-0 up just five minutes later thanks to a Dominic Solanke assist.
Tottenham didn’t have things their own way, but goals from Pape Matar Sarr and Solanke put the game firmly in their control.
The former Bournemouth star is the first Spurs player to both score and assist on his debut in major European competition since talkSPORT host Darren Bent managed it back in September 2007.
Qarabag had chances to get back into the game, including a penalty that clipped the bar on its way over and a goal from Juninho that was ruled out for offside.
It was the Azerbaijani side who dominated the game with 51 per cent possession and 14 shots on goal to Spurs’ 10.
But for Postecoglou’s side, it was an ideal result as they look to prove themselves as contenders to go all the way in the Europa League and end the club’s lengthy trophy drought.
