Dembéle questionable for return leg: Who starts for Tottenham vs Juve?
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham’s most important match in years is a couple of days away and everyone’s eyes are fixated on Mauricio Pochettino, wondering who he’ll start for the headline event.
Anticipation verges on the uncomfortable as nerves start to bubble and brew. Spurs are a strong performance away from reaching the quarterfinals of the most prestigious club competition in European football for the first time in about seven years.
But first they must dispatch one of Europe’s finest, a club who has appeared in two Champions League finals in three recent seasons.
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So who would you turn to with so much on the line? And the question on supporters’ minds: Who does Pochettino rely on to get the job done?
Dembélé passed fit – breaking news
Mousa Dembélé took a knock on the weekend but has been passed fit for tomorrow’s match. Tottenham supporters can breath a sigh of relief knowing their midfield dynamo will take part in the monumental clash.
Jan Vertonghen is also fit to play. The Belgian suffered a minor ankle injury in the lead up to the Huddersfield match but had no residual ill effects after playing Huddersfield on Saturday. His importance to Spurs’ side, especially with Toby Alderweireld still reeling on the injured reserve, cannot be understated.
Son Heung-Min has pronounced his intent after two sterling performances, playing himself back into the team. Pochettino will be compelled to reward the South Korean by starting him against the Old Lady. That will resign Erik Lamela to the bench.
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Spurs fans will almost feel relief knowing that Serge Aurier is suspended for the return leg. He had a nightmare outing in Turin, almost costing his side dearly due to a few harebrained decisions – including conceding a needless penalty late in the first half.
(This piece has been updated based on recent news)