Spurs v Borussia Dortmund – Match preview

It’s fair to say I think that late drama has been more in evidence than quality in our recent games. The visit of Jaden Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund to Wembley on Wednesday night means that this is likely to change. 

The Germans haven’t begun the second half of their domestic season with quite the panache they exhibited pre the winter break but they are still 5 points clear in the Bundesliga and with an excellent chance if putting a comma, if not a full stop, to Bayern’s ongoing domination of all things Füssball related. They have been defeated once this season. 

Well as though Leicester played on Sunday we can expect a step up in the quality of the opposition which is worrying given that we were second best for long periods in the game against the Foxes despite the fact that we emerged victorious.  

The weekend was a microcosm of the season in many ways, we weren’t slick, we were undermanned, some players were off form, we were up against it but we made it through. Whether that’s good enough to carry in to a last sixteen Moneybags League game is dubious. Despite Dortmund’s dip in form and injury niggles, we will struggle if there’s not a sudden improvement in standards. 

So how will we line up? How will Poch juggle his players in an attempt to somehow allow us to go to Germany not only still in the tie, but maybe with an advantage! Well injuries dictate a lot of the side. Assuming the manager opts for four at the back to start with, Hugo will be in nets probably with Vertonghen on the left if Rose’s shin (?) keeps him out. Sanchez and Toby will be in the middle with probably Aurier on the right. Winks and Sissoko pick themselves even though there’s a chance that Dier might be back, and Wanyama came on on Sunday. Does Llorente start? Let’s assume that he does. The front four may be Llorente, Lucas, Eriksen and Son though that does leave our midfield a tad lightweight. It’s possible that Lucas will be left in reserve so that his pace can be used as a weapon late on. 

It’s so difficult. To be honest I don’t know enough about Dortmund to be able to say where their strengths lay in particular even though one images that Sancho and Goetze will be a threat out wide. Are they especially quick? Big? Experienced? Dunno mate. Great review this is. 

What I do know is that it’s going to be a big crowd, the Germans will bring their f*ckin’ drums and make a racket (I’m at a loss as to why we let them bring instruments in) and it’ll be a crackin’ atmosphere. 

Last time we played them at Wembley Harry bullied them with his pace and persistence, plus their keeper was pony at the near post. We scored early and that set the tone for the night. It would be great if we could manage the same again. Please.

The officials are from Spain, even the VAR man in the van. 

It could be a night to remember. COYS. Let’s do ‘em.

Tottenham won their two previous encounters with Dortmund in the Champions League; this came in last season’s group stages (3-1 at Wembley, 2-1 at the Signal Iduna Park).  Tottenham are 33/1 to win.

All 19 goals scored in the Champions League this season by Tottenham (nine) and Borussia Dortmund (10) have come from open play.  Son is 4/1 to score first.

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