A 2-2 draw in the first leg in Turin means that not only do Spurs have the huge bonus of two away goals on top of home advantage at Wembley, when they host Juve, but history is on their side. “These aren’t just words, but they are in our DNA and we proved that in a tough game against a hard side who defend well and have quick strikers that are risky on the counter-attack”.
“It’s been step by step, a little step every season”. Not only do they risk losing Kane and take on a pain-staking process of trying to replace him in the process – much like their chaotic operation in the aftermath of Gareth Bale’s departure – they will also further their current status of a team just on the brink of joining the big guns but always on the outside looking in.
3 – Tottenham are one of three teams still unbeaten in this season’s Champions League, alongside Barcelona and Liverpool.
“Our strength is this: we believe to the end”, said Juve defender Daniele Rugani to JTV earlier this week. Then what happens will be the effect. [Harry] Kane and [Dele] Alli are players that we must not let dictate things’.
For Tottenham’s captain, Hugo Lloris, the Londoners were lucky in the first leg, especially with Gonzalo Higuain’s penalty miss on the dot of halftime.
That European run should serve as a cautionary tale, however, given the stars of that team, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, both left the club shortly after.
While Wednesday night’s game comes too soon for Alderweireld, Vertonghen completed the full 90 minutes unscathed on Saturday and can expect a recall here.
However, they have only kept one clean sheet in their six Champions League games at Wembley.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, a former Argentina team-mate of Batistuta, first made the assessment previous year.
But while Simeone has defied the odds to lead Atletico Madrid to La Liga and Europa League titles, as well as reaching two Champions League finals, Pochettino is still waiting for his breakthrough moment.
Pochettino has done a great job as manager and taken the club to a whole new level.
But Tottenham’s Champions League exploits over the last few months suggest any inferiority complex is being eroded at last.
The Argentine is seeking trophies at Tottenham and if they do that the players will become heroes.
78% of Juventus’ goals in this season’s Champions League have come in the opening or closing 15 minutes of the game (seven out of nine). They didn’t waver or lose confidence in the face of one of the most experienced, defensively savvy teams in Europe.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says that it will be a “fascinating challenge” to play Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Wednesday evening.
Tottenham, while maybe not as impressive as Juventus, have made strides this season.
“It is an incredible competition the Champions League, but I think we fight a lot the last few years to be there and get to play this type of games”.
“We are going to enjoy tomorrow. With the help of our fans, it is possible”.