Possible team:
Friedel
Walker Gallas Vertonghen BAE
Dembele Parker Livermore Siggy
Holtby
Defoe
Morning Spurs family!
Wahey! Another trophyless season for the Arse. It didn't happen quite the way we all hoped, with the gooners actually winning 2-0 on the night, but nevertheless, it's now guaranteed that Ars*nal will go an eighth successive season without silverware.
Lovely.
Okay, enough about that lot. Our turn for European action tonight, and thanks to a great result in the first-leg, it should just be a formality. However, AVB's taking nothing for granted, and has pledged to field a strong team. He said,
"We take this game very seriously and we have a good advantage from the home game but it’s difficult versus Inter in their own stadium. There is no scoreline that could make us change six or seven players so we will play a strong team to make sure we go through in this competition."
In theory I totally agree with AVB's policy of playing his best players in every game. I think resting players is for the most part, ridiculous. There's something seriously wrong with fitness coaching in the modern game if a player can't play at his best on a Sunday because he played a game on Thursday night. But we are three goals up in this one, and if someone like Dembele or Vertonghen gets injured tonight, the manager's team selection will be questioned. If we score early and put the tie completely beyond Inter, I'll be screaming for AVB to take key players off.
In terms of team news, Adebayor and Lennon are both back in the squad after missing last weekend's calamitous loss to Liverpool. The most obvious absentee will be Bale who is suspended thanks to a booking from the first-leg. Dempsey, Kaboul and Sandro are all still out.
Bale's suspension could be a blessing in disguise. It means he can't be risked tonight, and will definitely be fighting fit for our must-win clash with Foolham on Sunday. We saw what happened last week, when Lennon picked up a knock in the first-leg and then missed a crucial league game at Anfield. Anyway, we're far from a one-man team, and I back the boys to go out and prove that tonight.
AVB isn't worried about being without Bale. He told the press,
"We've been in situation where he is not with us and we got results. Gareth can make a difference in any game, we know. We will miss him but we won't want to prove anything without him because we believe a lot in ourselves."
Besides, Inter are a complete mess. Their manager Andrea Stramaccioni is without half his first team due to injury, and before the first-leg he made it clear that his sole focus was qualification for next season's Champions League. That target is slipping further away after another embarrassing home defeat, this time 1-0 to mid-table Bologna. Their lack of interest was obvious from kick-off at the Lane last week, and it's bound to be even less tonight.
I have to say, my favourite thing about these Europa League nights is undoubtedly seeing Brad Friedel between the sticks. Lloris is obviously outstanding, and in my opinion the best 'keeper in the league, but it's great to see Friedel getting games, and he's consistently showed that he's still world class. This week he said,
“I feel as good as I ever have done. For me, age is just a number. I would never have signed a contract if I didn’t think I could still perform. Obviously with every athlete in every sport there will come a time when you will have to stop. Until that time comes I’m going to continue to play.”
Right, th th th that's all folks! Happy Thursday and enjoy the game.
Prediction: Bale or no Bale, this should be a walk in the park. 2-1 Spurs (5-1 on aggregate)
COYS!
Follow me on Twitter @hotshothotspur
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