Fun stat: the 18 teams with exactly one CL appearance have a combined record of 4 and 14 in the game.
Its interesting - this will be one of the few matches all season where Spurs have everyone available for selection.
I have no idea how Spurs will line up. (I only know that no matter who Poch selects, or what formation he plays - approximately 63.4% of posters on Spurs Community will complain...)
At least 1 attacking player, that everyone expects to start, will have to be on the bench - unless Poch gets really wierd.
Players guaranteed to start:
- Lloris
- Alderweireld
- Vertonghen
- Rose
- Sissoko
- Eriksen
GK - Lloris
RB - Trippier probably starts, but he is persona non-grata for most Spurs fans, but Aurier hasn't had any games in a while
CB - Poch could go with 2 or 3 in the back to start the match - the two are Alderweireld and Vertonghen, Sanchez would start if Poch goes with 3
LB - Rose is pretty locked into the starting role right now, with Davies on the bench
CM - Sissoko should have been Spurs Player of the Season - he will start. Then, depending on formation, Poch could go with Winks, Dier, or Eriksen here. Winks is practicing, and could start, or, if Poch starts in a 343 defensive/counter-attacking set-up, Dier could get the start. Or, to get all the best attacking players on the field, Poch could put Eriksen in a deep-lying playmaker role. (Dele is also an option, if Eriksen plays further up the field.)
Attacking Players - Kane is practicing fully - but Poch still has a question to answer about his fitness. Is it better to start Kane, or bring him on after 60 minutes, playing for extra-time/Pens? If you wait, it might not matter...but, if he can't go more than 60 minutes - then you have to decide which 60 minutes. I think he will start, but I won't be shocked if he starts on the bench. If Kane does not start, Poch still has to decide between a very fluid front-3 of Son, Lucas and Dele - with Eriksen in behind, or going with Llorente as a Target man, and using Son and Lucas to use pace on counter-attacks.
Assuming that Winks plays in CM - that leaves Kane, Son, Lucas, Dele, Eriksen (and Lamela) for 4 spots - someone has to sit. Eriksen is locked in. It seems like the choice is really among Dele, Son and Lucas - and most would probably pick Dele to sit - given Lucas' form, and Son's season-long goal scoring. But, I think its better to bring one of Son and/or Lucas off the bench to play against tired legs. Dele coming in off the bench does not really bring anything new to the table = he is better off starting, and then if you need more attacking, you bring on Lucas (or Son).
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