BLOOD AND THUNDER

Romero sticking to instincts as he leads Spurs back into elite

- By Alasdair Gold

WHEN Cristian Romero steps onto the pitch for Tottenham's Champions League return tonight he will have “no friends” as he refuses to dilute the aggressive defending that is in his blood.

The 27-year-old experienced a whirlwind summer at Spurs after being linked with an exit to Atletico Madrid, only to then sign a four-year contract before being named captain by new head coach Thomas Frank.

Romero will make his first Champions League appearance tonight since the 0-0 draw against AC Milan in 2023, when he was sent off after a reckless challenge on Theo Hernandez earned him a second yellow card.

The Argentinian is a front foot, aggressive defender and that occasionally gets the referee’s attention. He has been sent off four times in his 129 appearances for Spurs with 34 yellow cards on top.