Tottenham Hotspur have a big task ahead of themselves this week, needing to match Inter Milan’s Champions League result to progress to the next round.
Whilst that may not sound so difficult, that Inter are playing PSV at home and Spurs are facing Barcelona at the Camp Nou changes everything.
But there’s some hope coming from the Catalan media for Tottenham.
Sport explain Barca want to win the match for ‘prestige’ but the Premier League club will be fighting for their CL lives.
Ernesto Valverde is expected to line up an ‘unprecedented’ XI against Spurs, resting players and giving chances to those on the fringe and some youth products.
Sport say Jasper Cillessen will likely be in goal, which is no surprise. The Dutchman deserves some minutes and Marc Andre Ter Stegen can be rested. That’s not believed to be much of a plus for Mauricio Pochettino’s men as Cillessen is described as ‘the best substitute goalkeeper in the world’.
Nelson Semedo is expected to start at right back, and Sport say the central defensive partnership could be Thomas Vermaelen and 19 year old Juan Brandariz, better known in Barcelona as Chumi.
Jordi Alba can be rested, and that could mean 18 year old Juan Miranda at left back.
Denis Suarez (24 years of age) and Carles Alena (20) could get chances in midfield, likely joined by Arthur (22) who is returning from injury. Sport say Oriol Busquets (18) should get a run out in the second half, being a favourite of Valverde.
Munir (still only 23 years of age) and Philippe Coutinho are said to be favourites to get two of the three attacking berths, but Sport admit they have no idea what will happen with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi because it’s hard to guess the preferences.
Ousmane Dembele may find himself overlooked after reportedly turning up two hours late for training on Sunday.
