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Tottenham projected XI v Juventus: Pochettino will attack the Old Lady

By Rucker Haringey

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur and Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus shake hands after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur at Allianz Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur and Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus shake hands after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur at Allianz Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal is challenged by Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal is challenged by Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Centre back-Davinson Sanchez

Slowly but surely Sanchez has established himself as one of the top centre backs in the Premier League. To do that as a 21-year-old playing his first season in the Premier League is a pretty amazing accomplishment.

Sanchez figures to be matched up against one of Europe’s brightest young attackers. He’ll need every bit of his speed, size and athleticism to keep Paulo Dybala away from goal. Perhaps more importantly, he’ll need to read the game perfectly. One wrong step could end Tottenham’s dream European run.

Centre back-Jan Vertonghen

The Belgian’s solid performance at Huddersfield last weekend should silence any doubts about his status ahead of this match. Alderweireld gets all the headlines, but Vertonghen has been at least as important to Spurs for the better part of a calendar year.

Like Sanchez, he’ll need to play an excellent mental match to help Spurs advance. His distribution from the back could also be hugely important for Spurs. His deft passes to the midfield could be the key to unlocking the stingy Juventus defense.

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