Dejan Kulusevski reveals ‘crazy’ comment Maddison made before Man City clash
Dejan Kulusevski reveals that something James Maddison said ahead of Tottenham’s clash against Manchester City came true at the Etihad Stadium.
Ange Postecoglou’s surprising selection
Kulusevski was expected to start as the number ten, a position where he has had plenty of success this season while James Maddison looked set to miss out once again.
However, Postecoglou flipped the script by starting Kulusevski on the right and bringing Maddison back into the side, and it proved to be an inspired decision.
The England international netted a brace in the first-half, the first of which was set up by Kulusevski with a perfect cross to the back post.
Dejan Kulusevski reveals Maddison’s ‘crazy’ comment
Kulusevski revealed that Maddison had told him before the game to look for his run while cutting in on his left foot, with the 24-year-old delighted that the plan came off.
The Swede told Spurs Play: “Maddison told me just before the game to look for me when cutting inside. Crazy but exactly that happened.
“The ball was perfect and the finish was good. But it’s still hard when leading 1-0, but after 2-0 we really got on top and we defended really good.”
Kuluseveki praised the Tottenham backline for standing firm and called on his teammates to maintain the same standard going forward.
He added: “I think Ben Davies and Dragusin were unbelievable, with Pedro and Destiny so unbelievable protecting the crosses.”
Maddison explains his message to Kulusevski
Maddison admitted after the game that he was delighted to get on the scoresheet on his return to the starting eleven. The attacking midfielder explained that he had made a similar far-post run a few times this season and credited Kulusevski for picking him out perfectly.
Speaking about his two goals, the 28-year-old told Spurs Play: “Two different goals in a way. I actually said to Kulu before the game, because obviously he hasn’t played on the wing as much lately, but being left-footed on the right wing with his ability when he cuts in I can make that run from that left half-space, that left pocket area from midfield.
“Because I’m running from deep it’s hard for the backline to pick me up. I’ve done it a few times this season from passes from [Cristian] Romero and deeper when I make that run in from behind but I haven’t actually scored. I have been getting chances from it so I knew one was going to come soon. It was a brilliant ball, I didn’t even have to break stride, so credit to Kulu.
“The second one was a good link-up with Sonny. We won it high up, I passed it to him and I thought it would be cleverer to run around him rather than underneath him, which we do quite a lot, just because I had seen Kyle Walker was just a little bit high.
“I found a tiny little bit of space in the box and managed to execute a nice little delicate one over Ederson. Really happy with the two finishes. I always judge myself on goals and assists as an attacking player so yeah happy.”
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