Tottenham supporters, we know that confidence is very low going into this one given the recent run of form has the Lilywhites winless in five (Transfermarkt), but this north London club has a funny way of working, and last season the miracles were all saved for European away days.
Trips to Barcelona, Manchester and Amsterdam gave the Spurs fans memories for life last season, and this time around a trip to Leipzig could provide the same opportunity, and we’ll be taking a look at the lineup that we want to see as Jose Mourinho prepares for what is nothing short of a massive game.
There will be plenty of controversy surrounding certain players, with Tanguy Ndombele in particular after Jose’s comments after the Burnley draw on Saturday (Sky Sports), whilst Ben Davies and Steven Bergwijn have both suffered injuries and now been ruled out (tottenhamhotspur.com).
So, without further delay, this is the starting eleven that we want to see Mourinho go with against Julian Nagelsmann’s sublime Bundesliga title-chasers.
GK: Hugo Lloris; No surprises here. The Frenchman may have made a mistake for Burnley’s goal on Saturday evening but the World Cup winner is simply the best that Spurs have got, and he certainly shone in the 1st leg (Football.London).
RB: Serge Aurier; The Ivorian isn’t a fan favourite by any stretch, but he provides the Lilywhites width going forward, and the fact he’s scored two goals and provided seven assists this season cannot be forgotten (Transfermarkt).
CB: Davinson Sanchez; Despite a shaky performance against Burnley, the pace and power of the ex-Ajax man could be key considering the acceleration and ability to ghost in behind a defence that Leipzig’s main man Timo Werner possesses.
CB: Toby Alderweireld; Perhaps harsh on young Japhet Tanganga to leave him out, but the dominant Belgian simply has to start given his experience in these games, having made 44 appearances in the competition including playing in two different finals (Transfermarkt).
LB: Ryan Sessegnon; As a result of the aforementioned injury to Ben Davies, left-back was a straight shot between Sessegnon and Jan Vertonghen, but the added pace and ability to attack as well as defend has decided this one for us. Sorry Jan.
DM: Eric Dier; Despite recently admitting that he sees himself as a centre-back going forward (Daily Mail), we’re asking Dier to compromise here and play the anchorman role in front of the back four once again, although a return to your favoured area will come soon, Eric.
CM: Harry Winks; Fresh off the back of captaining Spurs for the first time in his career against Wolves just over a week ago (Football.London), we’re calling for another big display from the 23-year-old, and after he was rested against Burnley we just hope he’s in the right condition to deliver.
CM: Giovani Lo Celso; Without wanting to put too much pressure on the Argentine midfield maestro, if he’s off his game tonight, we don’t see how the Lilywhites have a chance. Alongside Lloris, he was the star for Spurs in the first leg (Football.London), and every Spurs fan out there is expecting big things from GLC.
RW: Lucas Moura; We’ve already had Lucas save us in Europe twice, first off away at the Camp Nou when his late equaliser ensured the Lilywhites made it into last season’s Champions League knockouts, and then that night in Amsterdam, so is it too much to assume that these things come in threes?
RB Leipzig...
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CF: Dele Alli; Just like his mate Eric Dier, we’re again asking Dele to feature in a position he doesn’t favour, but after bagging a penalty against Burnley to end an eight-game goal drought (Transfermarkt), we’re counting on the 23-year-old to continue proving his doubters wrong with a big display as the central man in a three-pronged attacking line.
LW: Erik Lamela; The Argentine simply has to start tonight, mainly because of Bergwijn’s injury, but also because he provides something very different to Dele and Lucas. His ability to beat a man despite not having electric pace makes him an enigma, and what a time it would be for him to add to his two Champions League goals for Spurs (Transfermarkt).
(4-3-3: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Sessegnon; Dier, Winks, Lo Celso; Lucas, Dele, Lamela)