Team v City 2nd leg

[Snarfalicious]

--------------------------------- Lloris -------------------------------
Trippier --- Toby ------------------------- Verts ----- Rose -
----- Eriksen ----------- Sissoko ---------------- Dele -----------
---- Lamela ----------------- Son ---------------- Moura -------

Basically, I feel as though our only chance here is to get a goal, and keep it to 2-1. That's the best ball-retention, counter-attacking side we can put out there considering the circumstances.

 

[gibbospurs]

There is no way dele misses this with a broken hand, not a chance.

 

[Scissors&Tape]

Lloris
Trippier Alderweireld Vertonghen Rose
Wanyama
Sissoko Dele
Eriksen
Lucas Son​

Similar line-up to what other's have posted, but going back to the 4-4-2 diamond we we used with success earlier in the year. Prevents Citeh from controlling mid field, and allows Lucas and Son counter-attacking possibilities. Theoretically.

 

[glospur]

lloris
trippier alderweireld vertonghen rose
eriksen sissoko dele
son llorente lucas
​

probably the first time i've actively picked llorente to start a game but i'm just really not convinced that wanyama has the legs to get anywhere near this city team, maybe if he just sticks to a 10x10 yard square in front of the back four he might be ok but otherwise i could see it getting messy. likewise, whilst i get the idea of using son and/or lucas up top for their pace, what i can imagine happening is us just constantly sending balls down the channels for them to chase but ultimately giving up the ball when they fail to hold it up, llorente at least should be able to act as a focal point and help to bring them into the game.

​

Absolutely nailed it imo, mate. I came in here to post the exact same team with pretty much the exact justification you did.

Without Kane and with just Son and Lucas up top I would be seriously concerned that we don't have that out ball. For that time after Kane went off last week, we got deeper and deeper, and looked devoid of ideas when transitioning, before the goal came against the run of play. I, too, would play Llorente in this because he gives us that out ball that we're going to need imo, and with Son and Lucas running off him, rather than being the focal point themselves, it could cause City some issues.

Likewise, with no Winks, I like your midfield set up. Wanyama and Sissoko would be far too negative imo, despite the fact we're attempting to hold onto a 1-0 lead, and would be asking for trouble. It's not like City have an overly physical midfield anyway, so I like the idea of getting some ball players in there to find the runs of Son and Lucas when we have an opportunity to counter. A lot would be asked of particularly Dele defensively, but he's done it before, and has looked good when played deeper this season imo.

 

[spursfan77]

This is gonna be a tough game. We need fighters out there. No time for powder-puffs. That said, we are thin on MF options. So 3 at the back might be our optimal option.

Lloris

Toby
Davinson
Jan

Tripps
Sissoko
Wanyama
Eriksen
Rose

Son
Moura

subs: Dele, Llorente, Lamela, Foyth, Davies, KWP

Anything but three at the back

 

[SpartanSpur]

Anything but three at the back

Real Madrid 1-1 Spurs
Spurs 3-1 Real Madrid
Spurs 3-1 Dortmund
Spurs 3-0 Dortmund
Dortmund 0-1 Spurs

All with a back 3 in the CL. I still think we play our best stuff in a 4-2-3-1 but there is cause to consider a back 3 tonight. Especially as City at home are bound to put us under a lot of pressure whether we like it or not.

Back 4 did well in the first tie granted, but City played a strange game and didn't particularly commit themselves going forward. Tough call for Poch.

I'd start with a 3 and see if things need tweaking at half time, a bit like the recent game at Anfield.

 

[Mouse!]

Based on Poch’s penchant for playing 3 atb in big away games, I think this will be the team.

Lloris;
Toby, Sanchez, Jan;
Tripp, Dele, Sissoko, Eriksen, Rose;
Moura, Son.

 

[Shadydan]

Based on Poch’s penchant for playing 3 atb in big away games, I think this will be the team.

Lloris;
Toby, Sanchez, Jan;
Tripp, Dele, Sissoko, Eriksen, Rose;
Moura, Son.

Everytime we play that 5-3-2 we get pinned back and the opposition wing backs get loads of space

4-5-1 is more likely

 

[spursfan77]

Real Madrid 1-1 Spurs
Spurs 3-1 Real Madrid
Spurs 3-1 Dortmund
Spurs 3-0 Dortmund
Dortmund 0-1 Spurs

All with a back 3 in the CL. I still think we play our best stuff in a 4-2-3-1 but there is cause to consider a back 3 tonight. Especially as City at home are bound to put us under a lot of pressure whether we like it or not.

Back 4 did well in the first tie granted, but City played a strange game and didn't particularly commit themselves going forward. Tough call for Poch.

I'd start with a 3 and see if things need tweaking at half time, a bit like the recent game at Anfield.

It’s an English team though

 

[LDNYid]

I’d go for four at the back otherwise their extremely talented wide men will have a field day. I can see the argument for Llorente with Son and Lucas playing off him too. Dele deep with no winks available.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Everytime we play that 5-3-2 we get pinned back and the opposition wing backs get loads of space

4-5-1 is more likely

I'd rather 90 mins of Walker and whoever they play at LB crossing the ball than Sterling and Sane having constant 1 v 1s against our full backs. With our midfield options that is a lot of burden to put on Dele or Eriksen to back up the LB. Sissoko is good at that on the right side but he may well have to start DM.

I admit I like the look of the 4 at the back formations more, especially in terms of hurting them and retaining the ball ourselves, but the first half will likely be the alamo whatever we do (see Dortmund away) and I think we need all the defensive strength we can get.

If our players are bang on it tonight, we can certainly do it with a tight 4-5-1 kinda shape, but for me that risks us being blown away more.

It’s an English team though

Yes but we are talking about a high stakes CL knockout match, against one of the most dangerous teams in world football that has world class wingers. We also have a history of going away to the likes of City trying to play our high press/high line plan A and getting decimated.

It's a tricky one for Poch, but in a game where keeping it tight is paramount it would be bold to play a back four against such a good City attack without Dier and Winks, and huge question marks over Wanyama's fitness IMHO.

 

[Shadydan]

I'd rather 90 mins of Walker and whoever they play at LB crossing the ball than Sterling and Sane having constant 1 v 1s against our full backs. With our midfield options that is a lot of burden to put on Dele or Eriksen to back up the LB. Sissoko is good at that on the right side but he may well have to start DM.

I admit I like the look of the 4 at the back formations more, especially in terms of hurting them and retaining the ball ourselves, but the first half will likely be the alamo whatever we do (see Dortmund away) and I think we need all the defensive strength we can get.

If our players are bang on it tonight, we can certainly do it with a tight 4-5-1 kinda shape, but for me that risks us being blown away more.

City have the personnel to play touch line wingers, Sterling and Sane as natural wingers and their full backs tucked in, that's what they normally do to teams who defend with 5 at the back.

 

[Spurs 1961]

Real Madrid 1-1 Spurs
Spurs 3-1 Real Madrid
Spurs 3-1 Dortmund
Spurs 3-0 Dortmund
Dortmund 0-1 Spurs

All with a back 3 in the CL. I still think we play our best stuff in a 4-2-3-1 but there is cause to consider a back 3 tonight. Especially as City at home are bound to put us under a lot of pressure whether we like it or not.

Back 4 did well in the first tie granted, but City played a strange game and didn't particularly commit themselves going forward. Tough call for Poch.

I'd start with a 3 and see if things need tweaking at half time, a bit like the recent game at Anfield.

The performances against Dortmund where we nullified their threat on the wings was excellent and we nearly did the same against Liverpool. or rather did in the second half but had no luck. The trouble with City is that they go through the middle as well. Not sure what formation but it needs to be one where we are defensively solid, yet don't give up midfield completely and yet allow our front players the chance to counter. OK a 5-5-5 it is then, maybe the officials can't count.

Anyway I am upbeat about us getting through. Would much rather this than watch us play premier league teams who just park the bus and we lose to a set piece goal

 

[Damrell]

I'm blaming spell check.

 

[Bulletspur]

Lloris
Sanchez ___ Toby ____ Verts
Trippier______________________________Rose
Sissoko________Wanyama
Eriksen
Moura________Son​

 

[degoose]

After the first leg i really can't see us going 3 at the back. The four worked with wingers because we could let their wingers go 1v1 with our left and right backs. This meant no over lapping and over powering on a side because we had the winger to defend as well. City won't change the way they play, not sure why we would with what worked in the first game. Playing a 3/5 will just mean we drop deep and the wing backs are pushed so far defending against 2 each side.

 

[punkisback]

Lloris
Trippier Alderweireld Vertonghen Rose
Wanyama
Sissoko Dele
Eriksen
Lucas Son​

Similar line-up to what other's have posted, but going back to the 4-4-2 diamond we we used with success earlier in the year. Prevents Citeh from controlling mid field, and allows Lucas and Son counter-attacking possibilities. Theoretically.

The diamond doesn't work; we need width from full backs and wingers otherwise their FB and wingers will dominate us down the flanks.

 

[N17-77]

Real Madrid 1-1 Spurs
Spurs 3-1 Real Madrid
Spurs 3-1 Dortmund
Spurs 3-0 Dortmund
Dortmund 0-1 Spurs

All with a back 3 in the CL. I still think we play our best stuff in a 4-2-3-1 but there is cause to consider a back 3 tonight. Especially as City at home are bound to put us under a lot of pressure whether we like it or not.

Back 4 did well in the first tie granted, but City played a strange game and didn't particularly commit themselves going forward. Tough call for Poch.

I'd start with a 3 and see if things need tweaking at half time, a bit like the recent game at Anfield.

I think 3 at the back.invites too much pressure. We need to shut them down at source like in the first leg. I think Eriksen has to play in Winks' place, given his discipline and game awareness.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I think 3 at the back.invites too much pressure. We need to shut them down at source like in the first leg. I think Eriksen has to play in Winks' place, given his discipline and game awareness.

I don't know if we have a choice in being under immense pressure tonight! Such a big call for Poch.

IMO the only way we get this done is to defend like heroes, frustrate the hell out of them and then be deadly in counter attack. I'd love us to go out and bum rush them but I just can't see it. Sometimes shithousing is the way to go.

I may be showing too much respect for City, but I just want us to really make them earn it if they are going to beat us, and that in my head is the best way to do so.

At the end of the day we are the underdogs so every option has it's dangers. It's all about the effort and application of our players (and hopefully lady luck on our side) on the night.

 

[Scissors&Tape]

The diamond doesn't work; we need width from full backs and wingers otherwise their FB and wingers will dominate us down the flanks.

It really is pick your poison with City, but I would rather push City to the flanks than allow them to dominate the central areas. Sissoko and Dele do a good job of covering, and with the speed of Son and Moura, City will be vulnerable to counters if they push up the sides.

Here is an article on how we've used the diamond earlier in the season.