Match Threads Spurs v Barcelona - Match Thread

[Bulletspur]

SPURS 2-4 BARCELONA
Kane, Lamela Coutinho, Rakitic, Messi (2)​

Spurs: Lloris (C), Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Wanyama (Dier), Winks, Lucas, Lamela (Llorente), Son (Sissoko), Kane.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Rakitic, Sergio, Coutinho, Arthur, L Suarez, Messi, Lenglet, Jordi Alba.
Subs: Cillessen, D Suarez, Dembele, Rafinha, El Haddadi, Vidal, Vermaelen.

Official Site Match Centre
Five changes to the team that started in the Premier League on Saturday. Hugo Lloris, Ben Davies, Victor Wanyama, Harry Winks and Erik Lamela come in for Paulo Gazzaniga, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier. Dembele and Vertonghen join Dele Alli, Serge Aurier and Christian Eriksen on our list of injured players. Young midfielder Oliver Skipp, 17, is on the bench in the Champions League for the first time.

Match: Champions League - Group B - Round 2

When: Wednesday, October 3rd 2018

Where: Wembley Stadium

Kick off: 8:00pm

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Form: Spurs LLWDW Barca WWDLD


This will be the 3rd ever match between us and Barcelona, and the 1st since April 1982 in the semi finals of the Cup Winners Cup, which Barcelona won 2-1 on aggregate.

Barcelona have lost just on of their last 11 CL matches against English clubs (W8, D2), however they are without a win in their last two visits to England in the competition (D1,L1), a draw with Chelsea last season and a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in 2016 / 17

We have won all 3 of our home games in last season's CL group stage scoring exactly 3 goals in each match. Pochettino has won only once in 9 previous meetings with Barcelona as a Manager in all competitions (D3, L5), all with former club Espanol .

Away from home Barcelona have won just one of their last 7 CL games (D3,L3), 1 1-0 win over Portuguese side Sporting CP in last season's group stage. We have only drawn one of our 12 home games in the CL (W7, D1, L4) with that coming back in March 2011 against AC Milan (0-0).

Harry Kane has scored 9 goals in 11 CL appearances, however only 3 of those have come in home games.

Lionel Messi has scored more goals (20) and provided more assists (6) against English clubs in the CL than against sides from any other nation. Luis Suarez has been directly involved in 6 in his last 3 appearances against us in all competitions ( 4 goals and 2 Assists), all with Liverpool in the EPL between 2013 and 2014

 

[ajspurs]

A shame we can't go at them with a fully raring fit squad.

I actually think Dembele may be the biggest miss, the few times he wasn't present at the start of the season we really struggled to hold the ball well until he was brought in. I still think people underestimate his influence in the team.

 

[Bulletspur]

Last season was Real Madrid with Christian Ronaldo and this season its Barcelona with Messi. We are now eating at the top table, but to remain there, there have to be substantial investment and commitment from us The Fans (Attendance and Vocal support), The Players (Performance), The Management Team (Astute and tactical game management) and the Board - financial backing. This should also apply to all comptetitions

Saying all that, I am looking forward to the game which I hope will be closer than what some on here are predicting in terms of the result. COYS

 

[shelfboy68]

Real tough times with the squad so many injuries and running on empty as well amazing if we can keep everything all going league and cup wise.

 

[Metalhead]

Not expecting anything so anything will be a bonus.

 

[shelfboy68]

Not expecting anything so anything will be a bonus.

I think with all that has gone on from transfer farce and stadium delays I think maybe many have reset the bar of expectation a lot lower for this season ahead.

 

[TheChosenOne]

I think with all that has gone on from transfer farce and stadium delays I think maybe many have reset the bar of expectation a lot lower for this season ahead.

Sad but true. I'm an eternal optimist so 'hey ho off we go' and give it our best shot.

 

[St José Dominguez]

Obviously I’m going to Wembley for Spurs and hoping we can somehow get what would be a huge win. Might sound odd but I can’t lie though, part of me is excited to see, in my opinion, the greatest footballer to ever play the game up against the team I love. Time was running out while he’s still at level he is and I can’t wait to see Messi live at Wembley against my team.

 

[Nerine]

I'm confident.

 

[ralvy]

Obviously I’m going to Wembley for Spurs and hoping we can somehow get what would be a huge win. Might sound odd but I can’t lie though, part of me is excited to see, in my opinion, the greatest footballer to ever play the game up against the team I love. Time was running out while he’s still at level he is and I can’t wait to see Messi live at Wembley against my team.

I don't know if I'm more excited of seeing us against Messi or of the possibility of Lamela calling him a pussy (or the argentinean version of that word) after going a bit rough on him.

 

[tippspur59]

Hoping for a draw at least, going out to play with a depleted team is unfortunate against a big team like Barca, who knows it might inspire us...coys

 

[mark87]

I'm confident.

Without our best defender, best midfielder...I'm really not.

 

[ralvy]

Without our best defender, best midfielder...I'm really not.

Both our best defender and midfielder so far this season will be on the pitch tho (Toby and Lamela). I do think we may have a chance.

 

[mark87]

Both our best defender and midfielder so far this season will be on the pitch tho (Toby and Lamela). I do think we may have a chance.

Our only saving grace is that Barca aren't playing that well at the moment. I'm still expecting the worst.

 

[waresy]

Will be hunting for a place to watch this one in Liege. Hopefully some nice Belgian bar will have it on

 

[Gassin's finest]

Gonna get proper schooled tomorrow night, but I don't even care... It's my only chance to see one the finest players of the game in the flesh. Glory Glory night indeed!

 

[JCRD]

So my heart says we will win, my head says we will get humiliated

So im going to get absolutely hammered tomorrow before the match so i can forget my head and go with my heart

6-1 Spurs. COYS

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I’m just hoping we’re still in the match at half time. I’m not one who leaves a match early or turns over the TV so it will be a painful second half if we concede 2+ goals in the first half.

 

[werty]

We can beat them if we turn up.

 

[DiscoD1882]

Are we actually playing Barcelona?? And I am actually going to watch it. With my boy. Times like this don’t come around very often. Gonna enjoy it for what it is. Would love to see us take them down. COYS!