Friedel warns Tottenham to focus in Lyon away leg
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Goalkeeper Brad Friedel has called for his Tottenham Hotspur teammates to be switched on from the first whistle when they play Ligue 1 side Lyon in the second-leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday, the Daily Mirror has reported.
Spurs lead 2-1 from the first meeting between the sides at White Hart Lane, a brace of Gareth Bale free-kicks putting the Premier League outfit ahead. Lyon though grabbed a foothold in the fixture through Samuel Umtiti’s spectacular swerving strike, and Friedel feels that any advantage Tottenham might hold is a precarious one.
“It's two good teams both trying to progress and it's by no means a massive advantage. Just a small advantage,” Friedel said. “They are going to have come out and try to score and hopefully that will leave it a bit open at the back and could leave chances for us.”
Friedel has often played second fiddle to Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal this season but Head Coach Andre Villas-Boas has routinely turned to the former Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa custodian in cup competitions, including the Europa League. That is despite Lloris being a former Lyon player, leaving the club to join Spurs last summer.
But Friedel is looking forward to what should be an entertaining match. He said: “I'm sure it's going to be a great second leg. The knockout stage of the competition is when these games really come alive and we're looking forward to it.”
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