Rodrigo Bentancur leaves Copenhagen boss furious after what he did in Tottenham win
Rodrigo Bentancur played a key role for Tottenham in their 4-0 win over Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
The Uruguayan was separated from his regular midfield partner Joao Palhinha for the Champions League clash, but his performance certainly didn't suffer during his side's victory.
Brennan Johnson scored the opener for Tottenham and was sent off in the second half, when goals from Wilson Odobert, Micky van de Ven and Joao Palhinha capped off a fine evening for the hosts.
Thomas Frank will have been delighted with his team's showing in midweek, and Bentancur left the visitors' boss fuming with a moment that he produced.
Rodrigo Bentancur frustrates Jacob Neestrup in Tottenham goal
Bentancur's recent performances have prompted some frustration at Tottenham, with fans questioning whether he should play alongside Palhinha regularly.
The former Juventus star was excellent in the Portuguese's absence, and he recorded an excellent 88 per cent pass accuracy throughout the game.
He also completed six recoveries and three interceptions, in what was an impressive display in the middle of the park.
Bentancur even left Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup seething with the role that he played in Johnson's opening goal.
The midfielder stripped the visitors of possession deep in the Spurs half by cutting out a weak pass, and he quickly moved the ball forward to Xavi Simons, who fed Johnson to score.
Neestrup was "furious" to see his team give up the ball so easily in the attacking half, according to journalist Michael Emons via BBC Sport's live blog (8:24pm).
Rodrigo Bentancur has given Thomas Frank a selection headache
Palhinha has been Tottenham's standout performer so far this season, and if the boss was contemplating bringing the partnership with Bentancur to an end in the near future, he would have had an easy decision to start the Portuguese.
However, Bentancur provided a timely reminder of the quality that he brings against Copenhagen, and he may have just given the boss a real selection headache as a result.
He was at the heart of everything good about the Lilywhites in the middle of the park, and he showcased his range of passing in excellent fashion throughout the 90 minutes.
The 28-year-old is a smooth operator on the ball, while Palhinha on the other hand, is a little more destructive.
With that in mind, if Frank wants to persist with a midfield consisting of just one of the duo, then he faces a hugely difficult decision as to who gets the nod in future.
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