Tottenham Hotspur are set to kick off their 2024/25 Europa League campaign tonight with a clash against Azerbaijani side Qarabag. However, they’ll be without a key figure in their defense as Cristian Romero will miss the game due to a suspension. Despite never having played in the Europa League before, Romero is serving a retroactive ban that dates back to Tottenham’s previous European campaign.
Romero’s absence is a significant blow for Spurs, given how integral he has been to the team this season under manager Ange Postecoglou. The Argentine center-back has featured in every single Premier League minute so far, contributing not only defensively but also offensively with a goal to his name. His performances have been pivotal in Tottenham’s solid start to the season, which has seen them win two out of their first five matches.
However, Romero’s fiery temperament has been a double-edged sword throughout his career. While his aggressive style of play can be a major asset, it has also led him into disciplinary trouble on multiple occasions. During his 103 appearances for Tottenham, the 26-year-old has accumulated 28 yellow cards and four red cards, a record that highlights his tendency to cross the line.
One of those costly red cards came during Spurs’ last European outing in the 2022/23 season, when they were eliminated from the Champions League by AC Milan in the Round of 16. In that match, Romero was sent off after a reckless challenge on Milan captain Theo Hernandez, picking up a second yellow card that effectively sealed Tottenham’s exit from the competition. With a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at the San Siro, the second leg ended in a goalless draw, meaning Spurs were knocked out on aggregate. As Romero never had the chance to serve the resulting suspension, he now faces the repercussions as Tottenham return to European competition.
Romero’s disciplinary issues are a source of frustration for many, despite his undeniable talent. A World Cup winner with Argentina, his defensive abilities have attracted attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid. But his aggressive nature on the field has occasionally overshadowed his skills. His sending-off against AC Milan even drew criticism from former Spurs player Jamie O’Hara, who called out the defender’s rash decision-making during a heated discussion on talkSPORT.
That said, Romero may be showing signs of improvement this season. Despite his reputation, the Argentine has yet to receive a single yellow card in 450 minutes of Premier League action so far. It’s a stark contrast to the previous campaign, where he was booked seven times and sent off once in 33 appearances. Whether this reflects a permanent change in Romero’s approach remains to be seen, but for now, Spurs will have to cope without him for their Europa League opener.
Tottenham’s return to European competition has been a long time coming. After finishing eighth in the Premier League two seasons ago, the club missed out on continental football altogether last term. However, a fifth-place finish in the 2023/24 season has brought them back to the Europa League for the first time since 2020/21. Their first test comes at home against Qarabag, a fixture they would have hoped to face with their full-strength squad. Unfortunately, Romero’s suspension throws a wrench in those plans.
Romero’s absence not only weakens Tottenham’s defense but also highlights the peculiar nature of UEFA’s disciplinary rules, which apply suspensions across all of its competitions. It’s somewhat ironic that the defender will sit out a Europa League match despite having never played in the tournament before. Nevertheless, Tottenham will need to adapt and hope that their other defenders can fill the void left by their fiery Argentine.
As Spurs embark on this new European journey, they’ll be eager to start strong and put Romero’s suspension behind them. Whether or not the defender can maintain his newfound composure in future matches will be crucial, as his discipline—or lack thereof—could play a significant role in Tottenham’s fortunes both domestically and in Europe this season.