Tottenham v Dortmund: 5 reasons Spurs will break their Wembley curse

2. Tottenham are more physical

Dortmund certainly enter this match as the faster and more skillful team, but their advantage in that regard isn’t quite as massive as most pundits believe. What is a clear advantage in this match, is Tottenham’s propensity to play physical football.

No matter who Pochettino elects to start in his midfield, they will be instructed to physically punish Dortmund’s attack whenever possible. The likes of Aubameyang and Pulisic are terrific in space, but they don’t enjoy close combat. Players like Eric Dier will try to hammer them all over the pitch.

That sort of thing doesn’t show up immediately in a match, but it does become obvious as the end of the contest creeps closer and closer. Look for Tottenham to use their fitness and physicality advantages to try to wear down Dortmund. Spurs may not win this match in the first 15 minutes, but they should dominate the last quarter of an hour or so.

The key for Spurs here is not to take things too far. They can’t afford to commit silly fouls early or accumulate senseless yellow cards. Eric Dier, that means you. If Tottenham can walk the fine line between physical and dirty play, it’ll give them a massive edge.