Three reasons you knew Tottenham was in trouble prior to semifinal kickoff

1. Outnumbered and overran in midfield

Thomas Tuchel went with three in the centre of the park (Mount, Saul and Jorginho), whereas Conte stuck to his customary defensive partnership of Pierre Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp. Usually being outnumbered in midfield isn’t so catastrophic.

However, in conjunction with having Royal and Doherty out wide, both of whom had howlers, it made for a frightening first half. Spurs duo were dominated in midfield. Chasing shadows and doing an abundance of unnecessary, at times pointless, running, both Hojbjerg and Skipp were put in a thankless and impossible situation. And it all stems from who patrols the wide left and right flanks.

It wouldn’t have mattered who Conte decided to go with as the midfield pair, such was the nature of the insurmountable advantage the Blues had in the middle of the park.