Written by Viorel Mesca
The White Hart Lane stadium is the place to be tonight if you are a Spurs fan, as Tottenham Hotspur host YB in the second-leg of the Champions League qualifier.
Last week, Spurs lost in Bern 3-2, in a classic game that saw the Swiss lead 3-0 after just 29 minutes. Those terrible 29 minutes could have meant a Champions League shock exit for Redknapp’s men if it hadn’t been for Bassong and Pavlyuchenko’s goals. Two crucial goals that can be seen as a blessing for Harry and his lads, given that a 1-0 victory would be enough to qualify for the group stages.
On the paper Harry’s lads are favorites, however, mention should be made that YB are no pushovers, as the Swiss displayed their strength in the first leg.
Moreover, one must remember YB’s win at Instanbul against Turkish giants Fenerbache, after a 2-2 draw at Bern.
Vladimir Petkovic’s men certainly have what it takes to produce another surprise. Reports indicate that the Swiss are optimistic ahead of tonight’s game and have nothing to lose.
Vladimir Petkovic took the time to say a couple of words to uefa.com:
“We know what is coming. Spurs will go full throttle from the start and try to score the first goal, but we know how to defend and will try to attack ourselves. We are capable of doing that as seen a week ago. It would be a bad idea only to defend the result from the first match.”
Meanwhile, Redknapp is confident that Tottenham can qualify insisting he will employ an all-out-attack tactic, as he confessed to uefa.com:
“It’s important we get after them early and set them back – we’ve got to swarm all over them from the start. We have to start with intensity, close them down and put them under real pressure. We have players who can cut open any defence and I think we’ll win tomorrow – but it won’t be easy. If we play as we can, we can beat anyone at White Hart Lane.”
Still, Harry Redknapp has some headaches as Luka Modric (groin injury), Roman Pavlyuchenko (ankle), Robbie Keane (knee) and Jermain Defoe (groin) are doubtful to be part of this fixture, whilst new signing William Gallas is not eligible to play tonight.
Defoe could play his part in the game, according to Harry’s interview given yesterday to the Press Association Sport:
“It might only be half a game he can last now, but it’s getting less each time – the pain’s getting worse. He wants to play and train all the time but he’s got to have it done now. He can’t go on like that.
Tomorrow night might be the night for him to come back with a bang and start scoring a few. I don’t want to pile pressure on him about it. He scores goals in training every day.”
It is definitely one of the biggest nights in Spurs’ recent history and I guess that by now Harry’s men have been warned about underestimating the Swiss. Spurs must win this one and I think they will. My prediction: 2-0 for Tottenham.
Have your say! Who do you think will qualify?
