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Tottenham vs. Bayer Leverkusen: 5 pivotal matchups

By Rucker Haringey

(L-R) Charles Aranquiz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur FCduring the Champions League group E match between Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur on October 18, 2016 at the Bay Arena in Leverkusen, Germany(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Charles Aranquiz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur FCduring the Champions League group E match between Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur on October 18, 2016 at the Bay Arena in Leverkusen, Germany(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 18: Javier Hernandez of Leverkusen controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur FC at BayArena on October 18, 2016 in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 18: Javier Hernandez of Leverkusen controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur FC at BayArena on October 18, 2016 in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

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.

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