‘When they have to play’: Ex-Arsenal star warns Spurs ahead of UCL clash

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Former Arsenal playmaker Samir Nasri has warned Tottenham of Olympique Marseille’s style of play ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against the French side this week.

Speaking to Canal+ via GFFN, the 35-year-old issues Antonio Conte’s side a message to not take Marseille easily in Wednesday’s Group D opener, with the Ligue 1 giants having a solid start to the new season under Igor Tudor, though Tottenham has also started the campaign in fine form.

The north London side are yet to lose a game and currently sit third on goal difference behind Manchester City, and Tottenham will this season be looking to go far in Europe under Conte, though the Italian manager’s record in continental football is notoriously quite a poor one.

Despite silverware with the likes of Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan, Conte has never made it past the quarter-finals of any European competition, a feat that Tottenham could struggle to reach this season given the immense quality the Champions League has to offer this season, starting with Marseille.

Indeed, with the likes of Nuno Tavares, Matteo Guendouzi and Alexis Sanchez all playing for Marseille, there are sure to be fireworks when Tottenham face off against the French side this week at the Stade Velodrome, and Nasri has warned Conte to take this Champions League opener seriously given his former side’s style of play.

Nasri said when asked about Tottenham’s chances against Marseille in the Champions League this Wednesday: “Spurs struggle when they have to play ball, they are more a transition team. So there might be something to be done there for OM.”

Nasri right to warn Tottenham about Marseille for Champions League clash

Sitting second in Ligue 1 just below PSG on goal difference, Marseille have started the season in emphatic fashion this campaign, and whilst Marseille heads to England as the underdogs, Tudor’s side will be no easy match for Conte’s high-flying Spurs.

As Nasri mentioned, Tottenham could struggle when playing against a side that allows their opponents to have possession, and for Marseille, the stars could fall into place for the French giants to secure a historic win against the north London side in the Champions League.