UEFA Champions League
Inter Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview
San Siro, Milan – Tottenham open their Champions League campaign at Inter Milan in what serves as a tense Group B clash.
Spurs were riding high after a 3-0 away win at Manchester United, but back-to-back defeats against Watford and Liverpool have taken the wind out of the clubs’ sails of late, as the pressure mounts on Pochettino to deliver a result in the continental contest.
Inter Milan Serie A stalwarts Inter, are back in the competition for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Inter sit 15th in Serie A with just four points from four games.
Previous Encounters:
This will be the fifth meeting in European competition between Inter Milan and Tottenham, with both sides winning two matches each of the previous four. Tottenham last met Inter Milan in the Champions League back during the 2010-11 group stages, losing 3-4 away from home (despite Gareth Bale scoring a hat-trick) and winning 3-1 at home.
View From Both Camps:
Luciano Spalletti (Inter):
“We’ve seen Tottenham’s last games. They’re a very strong team, as are Inter.”
“To me, Harry Kane seems to be in excellent shape and he’s a very important player for how they play. He’s very good at laying the ball off and always picking out his teammates in the right way.”
Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham):
“We are not realistic contenders in any single competition, that is my view.”
“If we show the same face as against Watford, it’s impossible to be a contender. If we show the face (we showed against) Liverpool, it will be so difficult.”
Team News:
Dele Alli’s hamstring injury keeps him out of the trip to Milan, while captain and goalkeeper Lloris still has a thigh problem. Moussa Sissoko is also rules out with a hamstring injury, whereas Pochettino has decided to leave behind Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld in what he described as a “technical decision”.
Inter will give a late assessment to defender Danilo D’Ambrosio, but Sime Vrsaljko is out with a knee injury.
Predicted Lineups:
Inter Milan (4-2-3-1): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar, Dalbert; Brozovic, Gagliardini; Perisic, Nainggolan, Candreva; Icardi.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Moura, Eriksen, Son; Kane.
Match Prediction:
The Italians have struggled so far, winning only one of their four Serie A fixtures to leave them three places above the relegation zone in 15th. Spurs head into the contest off the back of two successive defeats. Considering their current forms and squads, both teams will most likely play out an even contest, with Spurs set to dominate majority of the stats.
Prediction: Inter Milan 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Photo credit to soikeo .info via Flickr
