Playing for 90
Fansided

Tottenham projected starting XI v Manchester City: Pochettino will attack Guardiola

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and APOEL Nicosia at Wembley Stadium on December 6, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and APOEL Nicosia at Wembley Stadium on December 6, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur and Eric Dier look dejected during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on November 28, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur and Eric Dier look dejected during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on November 28, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Centre back-Eric Dier

The less Dier stands out in this match the better off Tottenham will be. He simply needs to play a simple, but effective football match to give his teammates a chance to win this match.

More from Playing for 90

Things might be different if he were being deployed as a defensive midfielder, but at centre back,  he must avoid trying to do too much. If he’s under pressure, he can’t be afraid to hoof the ball forward.

My biggest fear for Dier in this match is that he’ll try to do too much with the ball at his feet. Dier’s ability to avoid an individual error leading to a City goal is a prerequisite for Spurs winning this match.

Centre back-Jan Vertonghen

Vertonghen is certainly missing his countryman playing next to him, but he’s soldiered on quite well in Alderweireld’s absence. He’ll be under a ton of pressure to lead the back line against City’s electric attack.

Like Dier, Super Jan needs to avoid costly errors. He will need to walk the line between physicality and reckless play. Expect him to get a yellow card in this one, but it may be a prudent play for his side.

Home/Tottenham Hotspur