Carlos Vinicius can play alongside Harry Kane in attack and not just be his stand-in, manager Jose Mourinho said after the Brazilian impressed on his debut in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over LASK in the Europa League.
The 25-year-old, on loan from Benfica, set up Lucas Moura for the opening goal in the 18th minute before his cushioned header for Son Heung-min resulted in Spurs’ third.
Vinicius might also have scored the second goal, but Gareth Bale’s low ball from the right intended for him was inadvertently turned in by LASK left-back Andres Andrade.
“He played well but can do better,” said the Portuguese boss. “Considering the circumstances and that it was his first match, I’m really happy. The only thing that was missing was one goal, but he’s much more than that.
“He’s not selfish and is a good target man. He can play with Kane when his good period arrives and won’t just be the guy to cover him. I am very happy.”
Although many eyes would have been on Bale, making his first start in a Spurs shirt since 2013, attention was also focused on 6ft 3in Brazilian Vinicius. Could he become the reliable extra striker Spurs have been seeking?
The 25-year-old joined Benfica from Napoli, where he was denied a chance to play, in 2019 and scored 24 goals in 18 matches before his loan move to the London club in the last window, which could become permanent.
He made a very good first impression for Mourinho, which almost became a great impression in the ninth minute when he headed a simple chance wide from six yards. Vinicius was visibly frustrated by his miss, but atoned for mistake with a brilliant piece of skill for the opener.
The forward took down a long punt with a brilliant first touch before drifting left and squaring the ball for Lucas, who had taken his fellow Brazilian’s place in the middle. The midfielder finished off the move with a low shot.
Bale had a relatively quiet 61 minutes on the right of the attack, although his ball did lead to the second goal. The move began with a swift counter-attack on the right before Erik Lamela found the Welshman, whose low ball was turned in by unfortunate Panamanian Andrade.
Bale was replaced by Son Heung-min, with Mourinho also choosing to bring on midfielders Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko, having started the match with only three players who featured in the 3-3 draw against West Ham.
Alli came close to adding a third before Son did, when he fired in from Vinicius’ gorgeous assist, and the Brazilian came off moments later.
LASK, defeated by Manchester United in this competition in the last 16 in August, had their best spell just before the break when Gernot Trauner had a shot blocked, before Joe Hart flew to his right to punch away Andreas Gruber’s curling shot.
(BBC Sport)
