UEFA Champions League Preview: Tottenham Hotspurs – Inter Milan (Part 2)
Team News
Tottenham Hotspurs
Club Captain Ledley King’s injury woes continue as the player is set to sit out the match. He will be joined on the sidelines by longer-term injuries Jermain Defoe, Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson and Jamie O’Hara. Gomes is suspended
for the tie following his sending off at San Siro while Sandro is ineligible to play in Europe.
On a positive note, Rafael Van der Vaart and Tom Huddlesone will return to the squad. Van der Vaart’s return in particular, will be truly welcome as the player has arguably been the best player in a Spurs jersey so far this season. The
Real Madrid reject has made a mockery of his 8 million Euros transfer price with a series of truly mesmerising displays.
Expected Formation
Spurs will take to the home pitch in an attacking 4-4-1-1 formation. Peter crouch will start ahead of Pavlyuchenko as the former Liverpool man has a wealth of Champions League experience
under his belt. Rafael Van der Vaart will play just behind the lanky striker. Luca Modric and Huddlestone will look to dominate the midfield while Bale and Lennon will look to provide width on their respective flanks. Kaboul will deputise for Ledley King in
heart of the defence while Cudicini will keep the gloves.
Probable Line up
Carlo Cudicini, Alan Hutton, Younes Kaboul, William Gallas, Assou-Ekotto, Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Luca Modric, Gareth Bale, Rafael Van der Vaart, Peter Crouch
Inter Milan
Inter have been unlucky with injuries early in to the campaign and this week has been no different. Latest reports indicate that Esteban Cambiasso and Julio Cesar have been sidelined after picking up knocks in the training.
Expected Formation
Rafa will stick to the 4-3-3 formation that has been paying heavy dividends so far. In Milito’o absence, Eto’o will lead the line while Sulley Mntari will replace the injured Cambiasso in the midfield. In defence, Davide Santon will start
ahead of Cristian Chivu as the Romanian has been desperately short on form. Castellazzi will deputise for Julio Cesar in goal.
Probable Line up
Luca Castellazzi, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Davide Santon, Javier Zanetti, Wesley Sneijder, Sulley Ali Muntari, Goran Pandev, Samuel Eto’o, Coutinho
Key Players
Rafael Van der Vaart
Van der Vaart has found a new lease of life in London. The Former Ajax prodigy has made a mockery of his 8 million Euros transfer price with a series of mesmerising displays. In the build up to this match, Van der Vaart and fellow Dutch
playmaker Sneijder have exchanged some harsh words. VDV will be looking to silence his critics as he finally looks to come out of Sneijder’s shadow.
Samuel Eto’o
Eto’o has been the talisman and the messiah for the Nerazzuri this season. In the absence of Milito, the Cameroonian was expected to step and the former Barcelona has truly stepped up. Two weeks ago, at San Siro, Eto’o was the undoubted
man of the match before Bale stole the limelight with a hat-trick. Inter will rely on their star forward for inspiration yet again.
Prediction
For starters, don’t expect a repeat of the spectacle we witnessed a fortnight ago. Redknapp must have learned from his mistakes and so would have Maicon. The match will be a tight affair with both sides making the defence their priority.
There is little to separate between the two sides; Inter are superior on paper while Spurs have the home advantage. A stalemate is firmly on cards – Inter to hold out for a 2 – 2 draw!
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