UEFA Champions League Match day 2: Group A Preview
Group A of the Champions League was the only group where all the matches ended in a stalemate on day one. With Spurs, Twente, Bremen and defending champions Inter in the group the group could not have been any more competitive.
All the four teams will be looking to register their first win tonight as Spurs welcome FC Twente to White Hart Lane and Werder Bremen of Germany travel to Guesseppe Meazza in Milan.
Tottenham vs Twente
After piping Manchester City to qualify for the European top tier competition last season Tottenham have high expectations in the Champions League this season. But tonight they face the Dutch Champions FC Twente and with the defensive limbo that Tottenham
are in a win will not come easy.
Spurs blew a two goal lead against Bremen on their debut outing a fortnight ago and such complacency by his team will not be tolerated by Harry Redknapp tonight.
Tottenham Hotspurs only have one recognized defender in the squad for tonight’s game as Gallas, Kaboul, Dawson and King, are all sidelined with various injuries, leaving only Sabestian Bassong as the recognized defender to take the field against Twente tonight.
Vedran Corluka could be deployed by Harry Redknapp in the centre back position while Huerllho Gomez may also return for Spurs after a spell on the sidelines with a niggle.
Spurs will also be without the services of sharp shooter Jermaine Defoe, who is ruled out of the match tonight with an injury and in absence Crouch will partner Keane in the attack.
Despite a grave injury situation Harry Redknapp has said that his side will be playing an attacking game and with home advantage they will look for all three points tonight.
Although both the teams drew their opening game, Twente’s was far more respectable as it came against the defending champions Internazionale Milan while Spurs were sloppy and complacent.
The match tonight at White Hart Lane will be pivotal in deciding if Spurs or Twente are to progress to the next round as a loss for any side could severely hamper their chances of qualifying.
Inter Milan vs Werder Bremen
Since taking over the vacant job at Inter, things have not been all rosy for Rafael Benitez as he is struggling to compile a winning formula. Their opening performance in the competition can only be classified as poor as their defence leaked two goals to a
not-so-prolific Twente attack.
Although, Twente played that game beyond their potential, Rafa’s men should have been able to grind out a win but they failed to do so and now are in the midst of a qualification dogfight.
Having home advantage and playing against a side that does not play the orthodox way Inter may be able to pick holes in the visitors defence as Bremen do not have the reputation of being the best defensive side in the competition.
Tonight is a great opportunity for the Italians to get their first win of the competition and get their campaign back on its feet but Bremen does possess the class and quality of Pizzaro, Hugo Almeida, Torsten Frings and Clemence Frings, who can unlock any
defence with remarkable ease on their day.
The problem with Bremen is the fact that they leave behind too much space when venturing forward and Sneijder and his men will be looking forward if the opportunity presents itself tonight at the Meazza.
But if Bremen are able to knit their defence tight they will give the defending champions a run for their money.
The Group A table currently looks like this:
Group A
Clubs
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
+/-
Pts
1
FC Internazionale Milano
1
0
1
0
2
2
0
1
2
Tottenham Hotspur FC
1
0
1
0
2
2
0
1
3
SV Werder Bremen
1
0
1
0
2
2
0
1
4
FC Twente
1
0
1
0
2
2
0
1
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