Mauricio Pochettino spoke of the need to work hard and to correct mistakes after the defeat to Liverpool. His next big chance to do this is against Inter Milan in their opening match of the Champions League. This will be a hotly-contested affair with both teams looking to gain the advantage in a tough group containing Barcelona and PSV.
No Repeat of Spurs San Siro Heroics
Past Encounter
Spurs’ first Champions League match of the 2018/19 campaign will be against Inter Milan. It is impossible to forget the last time they faced each other in this glorious competition. After going 4-0 down in the first leg, Spurs were looking doomed. Enter Gareth Bale. He then started to engineer a truly historic tie with his hat-trick. And of course, in the second leg, the 3-1 win there secured the club’s progression to the next round. This encounter was many years ago, and now each club has a new manager and squad. Instead, this match gives another chance for each club to clinch their European bragging rights.
Spurs’ Key Issues
The biggest problem for Tottenham is Harry Kane. He shouldn’t be dubbed ‘misfiring’ or ‘complacent’, but he is tired. He needs a rest but the issue lies in the fact he does not have a proper replacement. Sure, Pochettino could field Fernando Llorente but he simply isn’t the same standard as Kane. Perhaps the Spaniard should be given an opportunity to play. After all, he surely should be able to inject a little more energy and some fresh enthusiasm in place of the weary Englishman.
Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris both have minor issues in terms of muscle strains. It is unclear as to whether they will be involved in this clash. These are two players should start if fit. Michel Vorm did make some impressive saves against Liverpool but looked shaky and vulnerable on the ball. Alli is a scintillating young player who is often fiery and unpredictable but can make incisive runs in behind the defence. It would be a shame if the squad is without these two key players.
Inter Milan’s Key Issues
Right back Sime Vrsaljko is out with a knee injury. Inter secured the Croatian on loan during the summer from Atletico Madrid. He is a quality player that Inter will miss, after starting six of the seven matches that almost led his nation to their first ever World Cup win. Despite starting his first Serie A match on the bench, he took up the right-back berth. Danilo D’Ambrosio may be able to replace Vrsaljko for this match. This will be a good chance to seal down his position after limping off after 71 minutes against Parma. However, his is yet to confirm this fitness for this match. Thus, this could be an area that Inter are weak in, one that Spurs could exploit with the likes of Kieran Trippier’s crossing ability.
In four matches, Inter have only four points. This seems to signify a really poor and sluggish start to their league campaign, especially compared to Spurs’ initial good start. However, the teams appear to have a similar recent run of form, both losing prior to this match. Thus, neither team appear to have any real advantage in form. Both teams will seek to use this match to instigate a purple patch to spur on their respective seasons.
Prediction
Inter Milan will have the home advantage at the San Siro. However, Pochettino has banished the timid Spurs of yesteryear. He leads a team of great talent that doesn’t need Gareth Bale to bail them out of a sticky situation. Both teams will be looking to gain as many points as possible with the likes of Barcelona’s might in mind. Domestically, both teams haven’t had a perfect start, but Spurs have had the better start. Therefore, the English side go into the group match with a slim advantage, where the first goal could really help to set the right tone.
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