The 29-year-old registered his first minutes of the season for Tottenham in the Champions League defeat.
Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele in action with Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko and Bernardo Silva
Tottenham Hotspur’s Mousa Dembele made his long awaited comeback against Monaco during the week, having failed to feature for the North Londoners since May, and the Belgium international told the Spurs website that he was amazed by the supporter’s response to his return at Wembley.
The match was far from a positive affair, with a joyful atmosphere in the lead up to the game suffering a kick to the ribs as the visitors scored two goals midway through the first half following defensive mistakes, goals that would eventually earn Monaco a 2-1 win.
Monaco’s Bernardo Silva in action with Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele
But Dembele would still have had reason to be happy, as he returned from a six-game suspension to pull on the famous white and blue for the first time this season.
“It’s been a few months where I haven’t played for Tottenham so I’m delighted to be back,” the powerhouse midfielder told the club website. “I’ve trained hard here but of course it’s never the same, you want to play games, you want to be involved so it’s not easy but I’m happy now and against Monaco I was happy that the fans really supported me and sung my name.
“That was amazing for me. I was very surprised, the whole stadium singing my name like that. I’ve never had it like that before. Last year as well, the fans sung my name a lot and I’m very proud of that and very happy.”
For those watching at home, the response to Dembele’s introduction at the beginning of the second half was clear, both from the supporters and the team.
Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele and Manchester United’s Luke Shaw
The fans, more than twice as many fill White Hart Lane, sang his name and cheered every time he brushed off a challenge or span past a player.
And Mauricio Pochettino’s side were massively dominant in possession with Mousa back in midfield, as Monaco camped in their own half, even if the home team failed to convert one of the chances that would see the Londoners secure a point.
Dembele will now hope to make his first league appearance as Tottenham attempt to bounce back from the disappointment when they take on Sunderland on Sunday.
Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele and Chelsea’s Pedro in action
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