1. Eric Dier vs. Chicharito
This matchup should be Tottenham’s biggest concern heading into the match. Leverkusen will certainly fancy Chicharito’s chances to roast Eric Dier on the evening.
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That doesn’t mean they don’t respect Dier as a player, it simply means that they have supreme confidence in their classy striker. Anytime Chicharito gets an opportunity to go against a reserve centre back, Leverkusen will try to exploit it.
Fortunately for Spurs, Dier isn’t an ordinary backup central defender. He’s an English international who has the skill and athleticism to play as a defensive midfielder. His mobility should help him cope with the Mexican forward’s tricky movement.
What Dier can’t do, is get caught out of position. If he does, the former United forward is going to really test Hugo Lloris. I wouldn’t fancy the French keeper’s chances in a one v one encounter with Chicharito. Dier must play well to make sure that matchup doesn’t become a reality.