Tottenham take on Gent Thursday in a must-win game if Mauricio Pochettino wants to take his side into the Europa League Round of 16.
Last week’s match, of course, ended 1-0 in Gent’s favor. Tottenham’s overconfidence, plus injuries to key players, led to that result. It’s clear now, however, that Pochettino is intent on correcting that lapse.
To that end he’s named the strongest side possible for Thursday evening’s second leg at Wembley Stadium.
#THFC: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/TPbv3a7dEu
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 23, 2017
Jan Vertonghen gets his second start of the week after coming back from injury against Fulham on Sunday. He will operate alongside Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld as part of what looks like a three man defense.
That’s hugely notable. It’s in the 3-4-2-1 formation that Tottenham enjoyed a six match Premier League winning streak from December through January. Vertonghen’s injury made it untenable, and since then Pochettino has re-instituted the 4-2-3-1. Results varied.
The other missing piece of the 3-4-2-1 remains unavailable due to injury. Danny Rose’s role at wing-back is absolutely crucial, but evidently Pochettino trusts Ben Davies to work the left flank against Gent.
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Ahead of the defense will sit Mousa Dembélé and Victor Wanyama in central midfield. The former player was rested for the bulk of the match against his former club on Sunday, so he should be raring to go.
Ahead of them, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Harry Kane will form a deadly three man attack. Pochettino has no better tools at his disposal to take back this tie from Gent.
While you’re waiting for the mach to start, take a gander at some of our pre-match coverage.
Alex Balano covered Pochettino’s press conference on Wednesday as well as Vertonghen’s thoughts on his time on the sidelines.
We’ve also got a feature on why Pochettino and Spurs as a whole won’t come into this match the same way as they did last week in Belgium.
Finally, check out how Tottenham will use this match as a way to feel out their home for next season.
Next: AC Milan Interested in Tottenham's Moussa Sissoko
Swing back around to HotspurHQ following the match for the match report and five quick takes on the action.