3 key battles to consider in Wednesday’s Champions League clash vs Juventus

Tottenham welcome Italian giants Juventus to Wembley in the return fixture of their Champions League last 16 tie, with progression to the next stage of the competition hanging in the balance with the two teams currently drawing 2-2 on aggregate.

The first-leg in Turin provided us with an insight into the many battles that will undoubtedly be carried into the game on Wednesday night and with everything still to play for, expect these battles only to be intensified under the bright lights of Wembley, with an array of talent showcasing their skills on football’s most significant scene.

With anticipation now reaching boiling point, let’s consider three key battles in the game, where progression to the quarter-finals could be won or lost…

Kieran Trippier vs Douglas Costa

If Pochettino decides to pick Trippier to start on the night, which is pretty much guaranteed with Serge Aurier out of contention due to suspension, the Englishman will have to be at his very best to nullify the Old Lady’s left side of midfield.

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Trippier will face the tough challenge of taking on Douglas Costa, who optimises everything you expect a Brazilian winger to be like; Silky, slick and skilful with plenty of pace to burn.

Nevertheless, Trippier’s positional awareness and robust defensive set of skills are more than enough to cope with Costa’s threat. However, with Costa coming into this one with more “big-game” experience he’ll be looking to give Spurs and Trippier some real problems.

Harry Kane vs Giorgio Chiellini

The one man on the team-sheet that will be sending fear into the hearts of every Juventus fan on Wednesday night is Harry Kane.

However, he will face the challenge of overcoming the veteran Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in what promises to be an exciting duel between two players who are the very best at their respective positions.

Kane already bagged one against the Old Lady in the first leg of this fixture and will be looking to punish the current Italian champions even further in front of his besotted Wembley home crowd.

With Kane already proving he can score against the world’s best, the ageing Chiellini will bring out all the tricks he has picked up in an illustrious career.

Expect fireworks between these two. However, we’ll have to wait and see whether experience or youth prevails.

Davinson Sánchez vs Gonzalo Higuain

Another battle between centre-half and centre-forward, this time, however, the ages are reversed with the savvy Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain pitting all his know-how against the Spurs centre-back Davinson Sánchez.

Higuain had it all too easy in the first-leg in Turin, and Pochettino will be hoping for his usual sturdy defence to be ready for anything Wednesday night.

In what could be a real coming of age game for Sánchez, he’ll have not only the threat of Higuain to consider but also that of Argentine sensation Paulo Dybala.

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With Toby Alderweireld looking to be on his way out this summer, it’s time for Sánchez to step up his game, starting with Juventus and Higuain on Wednesday night.

So there you have three fiery battles to consider when Tottenham welcome Juventus to Wembley for the second leg of their last-16 fixture.

Let the last-minute nerves commence, in what promises to be a Champions League classic.