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5 reasons Tottenham will destroy Monaco in their Champions League opener

By Rucker Haringey

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur speaks to the media following a Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur training centre on September 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur speaks to the media following a Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur training centre on September 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /
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Valere Germain of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League game between As Monaco and Villarreal at Stade Louis II on August 23, 2016 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Agence Nice Presse/Icon Sport) (Photo by Agence Nice Presse/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Valere Germain of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League game between As Monaco and Villarreal at Stade Louis II on August 23, 2016 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Agence Nice Presse/Icon Sport) (Photo by Agence Nice Presse/Icon Sport via Getty Images) /

5. I don’t fear Monaco’s attack

There’s been a lot of pre-match chatter about what a big factor Falcao is set to be in this match, but I don’t even know that he’ll step onto the pitch. Monaco are much more likely to rely on the trio of Joao Moutinho, Valere Germain and Bernardo Silva to power them past Spurs.

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Moutinho is a name that most Tottenham fans should know. He was frequently a transfer target for the club during the days of Andre Villas-Boas’ time in charge. Evidently he was just hours away from joining Spurs on one occasion. He could have helped the club then, but now at the age of 30 he’s past his best.

Even less threatening is the likely striker Germain. He scored 14 goals for Nice last season, but he isn’t ready for this sort of competition. Tottenham’s talented centre back pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld should be able to keep in check.

I do have some concern about Silva, but ultimately I believe Tottenham’s midfield can handle him as a group. The less he gets on the ball, the better off Spurs will be. All in all, one above-average attacker shouldn’t be enough to topple Tottenham.

Next: 4. Euro failure=Champions League success

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