MF’s Match Preview: Spurs vs Inter Milan

Such is the intensity of the league campaign Thursday’s game against Inter comes as almost light relief when compared to both last weekend’s fixture and this Sunday’s visit to Anfield. The temptation to rest Dembélé, Parker or any number of players, even Bale, rather than have them spend 90 minutes wasting energy banging their figurative heads against what is likely to be a very determined and organised Inter brick wall will be great for Villas-Boas. We’re better countering rather than applying constant pressure so why not keep things tight in this leg and wait until the San Siro to get a lead? A dangerous tactic but not one without merit given what Lennon and Bale proved on Sunday they can do if given space, an item likely to be in short quantity at WHL.

I’ve seen the words ‘Spurs should be able to handle Inter’ in various scouting type articles during the last couple of days which is encouraging of course. They seem to have started the season like a train, including one run where they won ten in a row, before fading somewhat. They currently lie 4th, ahead of those nice boys from Lazio on goal difference.

Despite what I say above we’re likely to play the strongest side AVB dares to put out. Friedel will probably be in goal and a good selection of Friedel, Holtby, Gallas, Defoe, Naughton and Caulker may come in as changes to Sunday’s side with Livermore and Carroll as possibles. Adebayor hasn’t recovered from whatever ailed him on Sunday by the sounds of it and with Dempsey out alternatives are few and far between up front. One thing’s for sure, Bale especially will be the subject of plenty of Italian know-how, and we may get to witness some of the dark arts of defending.

There’s not much else to say really. The home game against Inter in 2010 will live long in the memory of anyone who was there, the European champions were just fodder that night for the mighty Bale. We’ll be lucky to witness a similar encounter this Thursday but you never know. Whatever the case though, all eyes and minds will be partially distracted by the thought of Liverpool on Sunday.

The officials are from Spain. COYS.

By MF

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