Preview: Inter (Home)

My Team:

Friedel

Walker  Caulker  Verts  BAE

Lennon  Livermore  Parker  Bale

Holtby

      

Defoe

Morning everyone!

These boys again? Last time Inter visited the Lane, it was a real glory glory night. Our boys produced one of the performances of the season and recorded one of the greatest results in the club's recent history. A 21 year-old Gareth Bale took on one of the world's best right backs and mercilessly humiliated him. To this day, Spurs fans still chant "Taxi for Maicon" whenever the poor sod has to play us. It was in the two group-stage games against Inter that Bale first really grabbed the attention of the footballing world, and there's no doubt that all eyes will be on the Welsh wizard tonight.

Bale tearing Inter a new one in 2010!

Like every opposing manager in recent weeks, Inter's head coach, Andrea Stramaccioni was quick to laud Bale's abilities, but insisted we're not a one man team. He said,

"Bale is now one of the most complete players on the European scene; he is becoming crucial [to Spurs]."

Stay away from him you greasy plumber bastard.

Then he said,

"Though Bale is strong, Tottenham have many champions. It's Tottenham-Inter, not Bale-Inter.”

Aww thanks Andrea.

The Inter team that the lads will face tonight is a very different team to the one that played us two years ago, with only Zanetti and Chivu likely to start from the 2010 clash at the Lane. Now I know Zanetti is a legend, but last time we played them, Modric made him look like an old man, and he was only 37 then! He's now 39 and likely to start at right-back, which means he could very well be lining out against Bale. I really hope that happens. I also remember Aaron Lennon giving Chivu a torrid time at the Lane in the 2010 fixture, so let's hope he's got his number again.

The Narazzurri have recently been struck by a number of injuries. Crucially, they're top-scorer Diego Milito is out with a knee injury. They'll also be missing centre-backs Walter Samuel, Andrea Ranocchia and Matías Silvestre as well as  full-back, Yuto Nagatomo. Midfielder Freddy Guarin is also a doubt. These injuries have forced Stramaccioni to call up 6 youth players. Yesterday he said,

"This is a very important game for us, but unfortunately we have lots of injuries. We gave a few of them tests this morning, but most of them are still struggling and we don't want to risk anyone."

"The Europa League is important, but we don't want anyone to get longer-term injuries. Our main target is third place in our league."

"That's why we brought six young players here. It's going to be difficult."

His comments suggest that his focus has shifted away from Spurs, and onto the race for Champions League football for next season. That cant hurt our chances in this tie. Adding that to the squads available to both managers, our recent form and home advantage, you'd have but Spurs as firm favourites for tonight.

In terms of our team, I think AVB will go with a team close to the strongest he has available. We have two top-class goalkeepers, so the manager has no problem switching Friedel in for Lloris for cup competitions, and will surely stick to that policy tonight. Despite BAE's abysmal showing against Ars*nal, I would still prefer him to start than Naughton who just doesn't look like he's quite up to this level of football. Dawson and Vertonghen were outstanding at the weekend, but I think he'll rest one of them tonight and then start the two of them in the Liverpool game. My guess is Caulker will come in for Dawson tonight. But that could go either way. Or it could be Gallas and Caulker, I don't know. Lennon and Bale are obviously on the team-sheet. Dembele trained yesterday and is apparently okay to play, but I doubt AVB will risk him, so I expect Livermore to start with Parker alongside him. I'm still not sold on Sigurdsson but the manager seems to have taken to him lately. I reckon Holtby will get the nod tonight, but Sigurdsson will be back in for Sunday. Doesn't look like Adebayor will be fit in time to play. Can't say I'm disappointed. Not Defoe's biggest fan, but looking at Inter's pontential line-up, I reckon there's definitely a few goals for him in this game if he wants them. And he always does!

Gareth Bale tore these boys to shreds a couple of years ago, and as AVB said, 

"I think Gareth has evolved as player. He is even more threatening now. He plays in a different position. He's become a different player; a bigger player and a more complete player."

Good luck with that Zanetti and Co.

Prediction: 2-0 Spurs

COYS!

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