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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 – MARCH 03: Collin Quaner of Huddersfield Town is watched by Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium on March 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 03: Collin Quaner of Huddersfield Town is watched by Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium on March 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Left back-Ben Davies

There’s a real chance that Danny Rose gets the starting nod in this match. Ultimately, I’m giving the nod to Davies because he’s simply been the better player this season.

If Rose gets the start it’s a nod towards his freshness and speed advantage. Davies is certainly the more in-form player. His lack of foot speed will be a worry against Juventus’ pacy attack, but his willingness to stay back and defend helps to counteract that weakness.

The less you notice Davies’ defending in this match the better off Spurs will be. If he gets forward and helps Tottenham create, that’s just a bonus for Tottenham.

Right back-Kieran Trippier

Much of what I just wrote about the Rose/Davies debate could be said about the Trippier/Aurier battle as well. I’m expecting Pochettino to go with Trippier in this match because he’s the fresher of his two right backs.

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If Aurier were playing levels ahead of Trippier things might be different. I think the Ivory Coast defender has been the better fullback as of late, but the margin isn’t that large. Trippier will need to play an excellent defensive match to help Spurs advance. Unlike Davies, he’ll need to produce something on the offensive end of the pitch to make sure he plays his best football.

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