AARON LENNON HAS launched a staunch defence of his decision to pull out of Tottenham’s game against Real Madrid last night.
Lennon was named in Harry Redknapp’s starting XI but was replaced by Jermaine Jenas just before kick-off after complaining he felt unwell.
The winger has since explained that he had been ill since the weekend and he was desperate to play in the match, posting on Twitter: “Believe me this is one game I did not want to miss and (I am) still devastated now.”
He continued: “But (I) will not be made a scapegoat, saying they only knew just before kick-off.
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“I fell ill on Sunday morning when the medical team put me on antibiotics, but (it) only got worse before Tuesday.”
Redknapp, according to Talksport, said earlier: ”No one has a problem with Azza, he isnt being made a scapegoat – he’s been fantastic for us.”
Last night, the manager explained what happened to the former Leeds midfielder after the final whistle, saying:
“We lost Aaron Lennon a minute before kick-off, he didn’t feel well, just said he had no energy, no strength. We had to change the team just as we were leaving the dressing room.”
Jermaine Jenas was drafted in, and was responsible for marking Emmanuel Adebayor when the Togolese striker opened the scoring in the fifth minute.
Tottenham were already trailing to an Emmanuel Adebayor goal when Peter Crouch was sent off in the 15th minute. Three second half goals – from Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and another by Adebayor – leaves them a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Spurs said today that Lennon will be assessed when he and the rest of the squad return to training tomorrow.
The Londoners face Stoke in the league on Saturday before the return leg of their Champions League clash four days later.
Lennon's Twitter rant: don't make me a scapegoat
AARON LENNON HAS launched a staunch defence of his decision to pull out of Tottenham’s game against Real Madrid last night.
Lennon was named in Harry Redknapp’s starting XI but was replaced by Jermaine Jenas just before kick-off after complaining he felt unwell.
The winger has since explained that he had been ill since the weekend and he was desperate to play in the match, posting on Twitter: “Believe me this is one game I did not want to miss and (I am) still devastated now.”
He continued: “But (I) will not be made a scapegoat, saying they only knew just before kick-off.
“I fell ill on Sunday morning when the medical team put me on antibiotics, but (it) only got worse before Tuesday.”
Redknapp, according to Talksport, said earlier: ”No one has a problem with Azza, he isnt being made a scapegoat – he’s been fantastic for us.”
Last night, the manager explained what happened to the former Leeds midfielder after the final whistle, saying:
Jermaine Jenas was drafted in, and was responsible for marking Emmanuel Adebayor when the Togolese striker opened the scoring in the fifth minute.
Tottenham were already trailing to an Emmanuel Adebayor goal when Peter Crouch was sent off in the 15th minute. Three second half goals – from Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and another by Adebayor – leaves them a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Spurs said today that Lennon will be assessed when he and the rest of the squad return to training tomorrow.
The Londoners face Stoke in the league on Saturday before the return leg of their Champions League clash four days later.
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur: how it happened>
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