Van Hecke: Getafe’s tactics could have earned Spaniards three red cards
Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke accused Getafe of excessively physical tactics during a bruising 70-minute training ground friendly on Saturday.
The encounter, played behind closed doors at Tottenham’s training facility, quickly turned heated as Getafe maintained their reputation for a rough-house approach throughout the match.
One flashpoint involved midfielder Sandro Tonali, who joined Spurs for £100 million from Newcastle this summer. Tonali was provoked by a challenge from Mario Martin, which led to a shove and a retaliatory leg-stretch when Tonali attempted to play the ball forward.
Tonali reacted furiously, chasing Martin down and pushing him multiple times, including once to the neck. Several Getafe players rushed towards the confrontation as the referee approached, while Andy Robertson intervened to push away Kiko Femenia after the Spaniard moved to challenge the official.
Van Hecke, who signed for Tottenham from Brighton in a £52 million deal this summer, told reporters: 'Sometimes it's good to have a physical game. I thought today was a bit too much. From their side, sometimes it's not necessary, especially in a friendly.
'I think in a normal game maybe they have two or three red cards. But that's also maybe the way they play. We knew beforehand they can do it.
'It's a friendly, so you think maybe they would do it a bit less. But on the other hand, we also need to be at our best because if you don't put your foot in, they're going to win it.
'If that's what the game asks, then you need to put your foot in and battle with them, otherwise they win the battles. That's what you don't want. It's one of the first things you need to win in football.
'You saw at times it got a bit heated, but that's because of the reactions. If you get kicked, you're going to react.'
The match itself remained goalless until late, with Getafe taking the lead in the 66th minute when Alberto Risco volleyed past Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
Spurs equalised in the final minute through Conor Gallagher’s neat finish after a run into the box. Richarlison came closest to winning it late, his header saved by Getafe goalkeeper David Soria.
Tottenham made no personnel changes during the 70 minutes, with only six substitutes named and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario unused. The club played another training game at the same venue on Saturday, involving many senior players.
Among those not involved against Getafe but back in pre-season action were Martin Dubravka, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Mateus Fernandes, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke.
Tottenham conclude pre-season with a double-header against Bundesliga side Hoffenheim next Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (3pm UK) and a Sunday match at the training ground (12pm), before opening their Premier League campaign at Brentford on 22 August.