By Aaron Patel
European nights return home for Spurs as they host Manchester City in the 1st leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Match preview for the UEFA Champions League clash tonight by Aaron Patel…
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is calling his side’s clash with Manchester City “one of the most important games” of his career. As for Spurs, it can be described as the biggest game of their season.
With Spurs’ Premier League title dreams over for another season, they now turn their attention to European success. That is easier said than done as Pep Guardiola’s side remain on course for a quadruple winning season and have the competition in their sights.
The north London side will also have one eye on the race for the top four, as they currently sit 4th, one place below Chelsea and one place above arch-rivals Arsenal. It will be absolutely vital that Spurs maintain their place in the top four to guarantee UEFA Champions League football next season.
Tonight, will be Spurs’ biggest game of the season as it will have ramifications for their season and potentially their chances of any domestic success. Just as equally, City will also have their own intentions to spoil the party at the new stadium for their own aspirations.
What must Pochettino’s side do to stop City?
It goes without saying that Manchester City are capable of playing teams off the park. But what Spurs have been good at in recent years is the pressing game and it has worked a charm since Pochettino arrived at Spurs.
One of Spurs’ strengths is their ability to score from set-pieces which have served them well this season. On the other hand, City have conceded more than half of their goals this season from set-piece and dead-ball situations.
Furthermore, Spurs boast a height advantage over City and if reverting to wing-backs, Spurs could enjoy some success down the flanks and in the air.
During Spurs’ 3-0 win against Borrussia Dortmund in the previous round, Jan Vertonghen put in a Man of the Match performance at wing-back and could prove to be a thorn in the side of City tonight.
How will City approach the occasion?
With the new stadium and being at home once more, Spurs appear to be more than up for the big occasion. However, Manchester City player Kevin De Bruyne is not fazed.
Speaking to Sky Sports, De Bruyne said: “Everybody talks about the stadium like it’s something special. Everybody has a stadium, everybody has supporters.”
The Belgian international did acknowledge that Spurs will be raring to go, however he still believes it won’t be any different: “They’ll be up for it, they’ll probably be a little bit more excited, but in the end it’s a stadium with supporters. I don’t think there will be any difference.”
In their bid to win every domestic competition up for grabs this season, City will have no qualms adopting a very attacking style of play. Nonetheless, it will be fascinating to see how the Champions approach tonight.
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