please log in to view this image Tuesday 13th February Champions League Round of 16 Allianz Stadium, Turin Our tough run of Premier League games has come and gone and we've survived without defeat. Wins against Utd and the Goons, either side of a respectable draw at Anfield, plus progress in the FA Cup? I think that everyone would've grabbed that with both hands. Now we face possibly our toughest test of the campaign, so far. A trip to Italy to face the country's current champions. Juventus have been largely excellent this season, carrying on the form that won them last year's Serie A. They've only dropped points in four games so far, drawing twice and losing twice, but still find themselves in 2nd place. Napoli have held them off, stubbornly defending a one point lead, while all others have fallen away. A 14 point gap separates our hosts from 3rd place Inter, who are fighting it out with Lazio and Roma for the top 4. It's a quite remarkable feat from the Naples natives, whose only league loss came against Juve. The Old Lady are on an amazing run at the moment, winning 10 of their last 11 matches and drawing the other. They've only conceded one goal in that run, during a 3-1 win at Hellas Verona, scoring 22 times themselves. It'll take something special to breach this defence, it seems. The Champions League group did give them some rather special opponents, though. Their only defeat of that stage came at the first hurdle, as they were taken apart at the Nou Camp. Barcelona went on to win the group, but it was the only loss that was inflicted on that Italians as they progressed, too. A draw in Turin was enough for both of them, as Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon fell by the wayside. We've never played a competitive fixture against Juventus before, but we have had a couple of recent friendlies. The most recent was our season opener at Wembley at the start of this campaign. Goals from Kane and Eriksen were enough to see off a Juve side wearing a horrific camo kit. Toby Alderweireld appears to be our only major absence for this one, as he's been left behind to continue his recovery. Howedes, Cuadrado, Matuidi and Dybala are all out for our hosts, apparently. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Aurier, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lamela, Moura. League form: DWDWDW. Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Benatia, Chiellini, Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Marchisio; Bernardeschi, Higuain, Mandzukic. Subs: Szczesny, Pinsolglio, De Sciglio, Barzagli, Rugani, Asamoah, Sturaro, Bentacur. League form: WWWWWW. Referee: Felix Brych (Ger). He was the official in charge of last season's final, featuring Juventus. TV: BT Sport 2. Should we make any changes to the side that's started our last couple of matches? Do we need to approach this with caution or should we play our normal game? Does our bench need altering at all and should we be looking for anything specific late on?
He's improved dramatically since going to Italy, apparently. Two full seasons for Roma and now he's being groomed as Buffon's successor. 11 clean sheets in 15 appearances this season, which is pretty good going. Wenger **** up?
If he is in goal, all that certain Spurs players will see is another Goon daring to stand in their way.
Lloris, Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier or Wanyama, Dembele Eriksen, Dele, Son Kane Solid, combative, but still able to maybe grab an away goal. Would bite your hand off for a score draw Edit: worried that there are a few potential ‘biters’ in our ranks who might be susceptible to Italian tactics. It was the strength of character of the 2012 team that saw off the Milan clubs. Will need the same discipline and more tomorrow.
Totally agree about the need to keep a cool head. They'll be up to all the dirty tricks and the officials will of course lap them all up. If Wanyama is fit enough to start, I'd set up with 3 at the back and play on the counter. Dave has had a good season but has visibly struggled against better opposition so I feel we'll need more personnel helping out at the back. Hugo Dier Dave Jan Aurier Wanyama Dembele Davies Eriksen Son Kane Subs: Vorm, Trippier, DOF, Winks, Alli, Moura, Lamela.
Hugo Aurier, Dave, Jan, Davies Wanyama, Dier Moura, Eriksen, Alli Kane Vorm, Tripps, Rose, Dembele, Winks, Lamela, Son Son's looked a little laboured in recent matches, hasn't been his usual "lightning" self so I'd have him on the bench for this to make an impact in the second half. I'd throw Vic AND Dier together, lacks any creativity but builds a brick wall in front of that defence. Hopefully Aurier and Moura can get into an immediate groove and show PSG what they've lost.
I could see this team starting tomorrow, only with Alli in for Son. I think 3 at the back is sensible in a tough away fixture like this. It’s also a really strong physical team we are putting out which we will need against Juventus
Wenger IS a **** up yes. But he'd never have been able to develop Chesney as he can't develop anyone. You'll steamroller them. No-one knows how good they are annually as serie a is complete ****e and they never play any good teams until the CL KO stages.
Given the media is determined to beat the "Juve have conceded once in sixteen games" stat into us, what happens if we score? Mass resignations?
I would play: Aurier Sanchez Vertonghen Rose Dier Dembele Eriksen Dele Son Kane Play the same team that's been playing well, except for rotating the fullbacks. We may well see Wanyama instead of Dembele, between Dembele having a significant injury history and Wanyama deserving a start. Dembele has all the earmarks of some kind of chronic problem. He's out for periods, sub-par for periods and outstanding for periods. If he's healthy, I'd want him to play though. He may make more of a difference to how we play than anyone but Eriksen. If we play three at the back, we'd have room for Dier, Wanyama and Dembele. It would probably mean Son doesn't start, which would be okay, I think, since he looks like he could use a rest. Lucas will very likely make his first appearance for us. If ever a club seemed well set up to keep a clean sheet at home and grab an away goal, it's Juve. This will be a test of discipline and tactics. I would put a premium on keeping a clean sheet tomorrow, in the hopes we could get a goal ourselves, hold them again at Wembley or score two there.
An away score draw would be a good result, anything more a bonus. They are no mugs and very good at what they do well, bus parking.
