Spurs Projected XI for Leg 1 vs BVB in Champions League

With the 0-2 Champions League start a distant memory, Tottenham Hotspur start the knockout stages on Wednesday evening at Wembley versus a familiar foe, Borussia Dortmund.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 12: Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko stretch during a Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on February 12, 2019 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Heading into Wednesday’s Leg 1 of the Round of 16, Tottenham Hotspur are facing a lot of questions, as several key players – Dele Alli, Harry Kane, and Ben Davies – are out of the squad due to injuries. While other Spurs – Danny Rose, Erik Lamela, and Eric Dier – are all question marks heading in due to their own assorted fitness concerns.

So how will Mauricio Pochettino and his staff line-up the squad? Does he go with three in the back? Does he go with four and use KWP on the left? Do Spurs play with one or two up-front to start? To see a preview of the match, click here, in this space attempt to answer those questions with the projected XI for the Dortmund match.

Tottenham on Defense

After his excellent display over the weekend versus Leicester City, including a huge penalty save on Jamie Vardy, Hugo Lloris is likely one of the first names on the sheet. The team captain has recovered from a small blip in form and will need to be ready against a strong attacking side in BVB.

In front of Lloris decisions need to be made. Pochettino made it clear in his pre-match presser Danny is available, but not as a starter. That means Kyle Walker-Peters could get the nod, but my money is on Jan Vertonghen starting on the left of a back four. This allows the three best defenders to be on the pitch together and still give us some width and attack from the back.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 12: Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen look on during a Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on February 12, 2019 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Vertonghen is joined by Toby Alderweireld, fresh from his cameo versus the Foxes. Having Toby and Jan together in the left is the best possible approach absent a 100% Danny Rose and with Ben Davies unavailable. The right side of the defense is Davison Sanchez and Serge Aurier. Sanchez is coming off a terrific match against Leicester, having scored his first goal, and Aurier was on the bench so he is fresh for this one. Additionally, Serge has a bit more pace than Kieran Trippier, which Spurs will likely need, but Tripps is on the bench in case we need his crosses at some point in the match.

Spurs Midfield

So does Tottenham play a diamond, a flat three with Eriksen in front or with two holding midfielders. Likely the set-up on paper is two holding midfielders with Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko continuing their productive and improving relationship in front of the back. Winks is a hub for distribution and Sissoko’s all around game affords the entire back line more freedom that one might expect as he is a terrific cover.

Depending on how you view the line-up, five in the middle or a 4-2-3-1, that is really it for the midfield as the diamond will show up in the attack.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring the 2nd Tottenham Hotspur goal with Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Tottenham’s Offense

Spurs are going to go for it in this game. Having seen what not pushing for more at home does in losing out to Chelsea in the League Cup, Spurs need to win and need to win by more than 1 goal. This means we need to score at least 3, as Dortmund never gets shutout. (Did I just curse them?)

To help connect the midfield with the front, expect three across in front of Sissoko and Winks. Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela will be on the sides with of course Christian Eriksen in the middle playing in a withdrawn nine role behind our lone striker, Heung-Min Son.

Having these four together is the closest Spurs can come to Dele, Kane, Son, and Eriksen, providing the most interchange and flexibility. Additionally, if Tottenham needs a goal late, you can bring on Fernando Llorente and go to two up-front with he and Son. To go for it, you must have your best players on the pitch. In a line-up that looks a lot like what we saw versus Newcastle, Spurs go for it here.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 12: Erik Lamela and Juan Foyth joke during a Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on February 12, 2019 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Spurs Bench

The bench is a big deal in Champions League. Given Spurs are not travelling anything is possible, Harry Kane on the bench, right? Doubtful, but we will have some energy and steal on the sideline ready for action. Beyond Fernando Llorente and Rose, we will have Paulo Gazzaniga covering for Lloris, Trippier, Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier, and Juan Foyth. Given Foyth got the squad spot after Mousa Dembele’s departure, it makes sense to see him here, especially since he can cover in the back or midfield. But if Foyth isn’t ready Oliver Skipp is on the squad through the B list with several other young Spurs, so he could be there.

Line-up

4-2-3-1

Lloris

Vertonghen – Alderweireld – Sanchez – Aurier

Winks – Sissoko

Moura – Eriksen – Lamela

Son

Home/Champions League