Fiorentina preview, team news and expected line-up

It was only a few weeks ago that fans were saying that Tottenham were in too many competitions and had too many fixtures. Well, come Sunday evening it could all be over and we will be left battling it out with the big guns Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool for the elusive Champions League Spots.

Of course we all hope that is after celebrating defeating Chelsea in the Capital One Cup Final at Wembley on Sunday, but nonetheless, the apparent fixture overload could be well and truly behind us in a matter of days.

After losing to Leicester in the FA Cup in January, supporters were still in buoyant mood as we had the two legs against Italian giants Fiorentina to come in the Europa League. Unfortunately however, those two ties were scheduled three days before matches against West Ham in the Premier League and the Cup Final against another London rival, Chelsea respectively.

The blow of being knocked out by Fiorentina would I’m sure be softened by success at the weekend, but in order to ensure we remain on course for as much glory as possible, tomorrow night’s clash in Florence is crucial to that.

Will we live to regret missed chances?

Last Thursday night at White Hart Lane saw Pochettino’s men come out of the blocks flying and in all fairness the game should have been wrapped up inside 30 minutes. Tottenham dominated possession, playing with tempo and pace and scaring Fiorentina’s backline every time we attacked.

When Soldado opened the scoring after just six minutes, it looked as though the floodgates would open and Pochettino would have the luxury of resting a few star names at the Stadio Artemio Franchi ahead of the trip to Wembley.

Unfortunately that didn’t turn out to be the case and thanks to a ‘spawny’ goal, Vincenzo Montella’s men were level at 1-1 before the break and killed the momentum Spurs had possessed throughout the early stages.

The second half performance lacked the intensity seen in the first 45 minutes as we huffed and puffed without creating any gilt-edge chances to give us a slender lead to take to Italy.

How will Pochettino play it?

Unless we end up qualifying from the tie against Fiorentina tomorrow evening and then also defeat Chelsea on Sunday, Pochettino understands that he is likely to receive some form of criticism.

If Spurs qualify tomorrow fielding an 11 similar to that which also starts the game on Sunday which we then end up losing, the Head Coach will be condemned for not resting players in Italy.

If we are knocked out in Italy whilst resting players and then are also beaten on Sunday, I expect people will slate Pochettino for not playing a full strength side in Italy and trying to win the tie!

Perhaps if we lose tomorrow night with a weaker side out, but then beat Chelsea however, all will be forgiven?

Selection headache

I certainly don’t envy Pochettino his task of selecting a side to take on Fiorentina in the second leg of our Europa League Round of 32 match tomorrow evening.

Speaking before the clash, the Argentinean said:
“We need to decide on the lineup because we have played tough games against Fiorentina last Thursday and West Ham on Sunday. We need to decide on the best team. 21 players will be on the list for Fiorentina.”

We have received a boost in recent days however as Fiorentina goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu has been ruled out of Thursday’s second leg with back trouble.
Tatarusanu was in fine form last week at White Hart Lane, so his absence should give our strikers confidence.
A statement on Fiorentina’s official website read:
“After the 1-1 draw with Torino on Sunday, Tatarusanu complained of back pain, from which he had been suffering for some days.
“After tests it was decided he would have ten days’ rest at treatment, with the situation assessed again at the end of that period.”

The side I expect Pochettino to put out in Florence

Lloris; Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Paulinho, Stambouli; Townsend, Eriksen, Chadli; Soldado

 

Very good article, sums up Poch's predicament nicely. I think your team is probably close to being right, my main concern would be Walker and Verts playing too much, these are the two positions we don't have a lot of cover for.

 

I feel the same that walker and vertonghen should be rested, I'm not sure if he's fit, but if so, I would personally give yedlin his debut, and maybe rest Jan for chiriches

 

Had a stronger 11 been fielded last Thursday then he may have been able to rest a few tomorrow if we were in poll position to qualify. With the tie in the balance I expect a full strength spurs side to be picked with one or two adjustments. Its naive and risky to put all our eggs in Sundays basket. Lloris walker fazio Davies dembele bentaleb eriksen Townsend chadli Kane for tomorrow's match. Dier mason rose to return Sunday..

 

I would not mind seeing a very weakened side on Thursday. Don't care if we loose in Italy as long as we can make a strong showing in Sunday's final and tough upcoming PL matches.

 

Start the strongest XI in both fixtures. Take a lead in first 45". Rest Kane, Eriksen, Bentaleb at some points in second half both Thursday and Sunday. Kill the game(s). That's it.

 

Too many think that Sunday is a fore gone conclusion if we put our full strength side out it is not, we have 2 massive games on the bounce and need to treat them as such.

COYS !!!!

 

Seen the team, Poch has got it spot on. Whatever happens I personally won't be criticizing him. I trust his judgment completely now, he knows what he's doing and it's by no means a weak team