Tottenham vs. Real Madrid
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What strikes me right off the bat with this match up is the battle between "Harry The Bastard" and "The Special One." First off I don't know of two other managers that just act like such douche bags but seem to get the best out of their players. Unfortunately the match up on Tuesday has been hindered due to injury. Spurs will be without Steven Pienaar, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, and Younes Kaboul. Oh and not too mention Alan Hutton is out for the season. They are also worried about the fitness of Gareth Bale, William Gallas, Aaron Lennon, and Tom Huddlestone who is just coming back from a long stint on the injured list. This is quite a list for Spurs who we really need to be compact defensively. Luckily for Harry Real Madrid also face some injuries. Kareem Benzema has been ruled out, but Christiano Ronaldo might play. Even so Gonzalo Higauin has returned from a long injury.
Harry will most likely stick to the 4-4-1-1 while Jose will employ his usual 4-2-3-1. The key to this fixture is for both teams to play it as a two leg tie. I would expect Tottenham to try and posses when they get the ball but still look for the counter attack, similar to what they did in Milan. Unfortunately I don't see the possibility of Joe Jordan beating up anyone in this match although I must admit I would like to see it. As for Madrid i expect them to remain calm and try to bully the midfield with the likes of Khedira and Alonso. This will allow for the artists of the team to link in front of them. If tomorrow's match ends up as a draw i think the fixture prefers Tottenham. If Madrid score a few goals and hold Spurs i think it will be a different story.
All and all it should be a thrilling match, be sure to tune in tomorrow.
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Harry will most likely stick to the 4-4-1-1 while Jose will employ his usual 4-2-3-1. The key to this fixture is for both teams to play it as a two leg tie. I would expect Tottenham to try and posses when they get the ball but still look for the counter attack, similar to what they did in Milan. Unfortunately I don't see the possibility of Joe Jordan beating up anyone in this match although I must admit I would like to see it. As for Madrid i expect them to remain calm and try to bully the midfield with the likes of Khedira and Alonso. This will allow for the artists of the team to link in front of them. If tomorrow's match ends up as a draw i think the fixture prefers Tottenham. If Madrid score a few goals and hold Spurs i think it will be a different story.
All and all it should be a thrilling match, be sure to tune in tomorrow.
Internazionale vs. Schalke 04
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This match up seems to be less interesting than the previous but still could provide some good soccer. Schalke 04 is having a horrendous season in the Bundesliga they currently sit in 11th place. Which could help them because they are focusing all of their efforts on the UCL. Inter on the other hand have been a different team after getting rid of Benitez. Never quite figured out how the he managed to weasel his way at Liverpool for so long after spending over $100 million on absolute useless players (but that's another article for another time). Leonardo has lifted the side and has added a new weapon to his arsenal with the return of Diego Milito who will start tomorrow night. On another side note does anyone else think that the Milan / Inter rivalry is joke now that Leonardo coaches Inter and Ibrahimovic plays for Milan?
Look for Inter to be very dangerous with the return of the clinical Milito. They have lacked that kind of finishing without him. You can bet on Leonardo deploying his men in a 4-1-2-1-2. Wesley Sneijder will sit at the top of the midfield diamond and look to play in Milito and Eto'o. This was the lethal threesome that caused so much trouble for defenses last season. Schalke will have to be on their toes defensively and stay very organized, which they should be because they are German. They must look to the experience of Raul who has scored 61 goals in the UCL. Farfan has been on great form as of late and will be imperative that he get the ball out wide to provide service for Raul and Huntelaar.
Overall this should be a good match up. If Milito gets off to a good start it should send a strong message to the rest of the teams left in the UCL.
Look for Inter to be very dangerous with the return of the clinical Milito. They have lacked that kind of finishing without him. You can bet on Leonardo deploying his men in a 4-1-2-1-2. Wesley Sneijder will sit at the top of the midfield diamond and look to play in Milito and Eto'o. This was the lethal threesome that caused so much trouble for defenses last season. Schalke will have to be on their toes defensively and stay very organized, which they should be because they are German. They must look to the experience of Raul who has scored 61 goals in the UCL. Farfan has been on great form as of late and will be imperative that he get the ball out wide to provide service for Raul and Huntelaar.
Overall this should be a good match up. If Milito gets off to a good start it should send a strong message to the rest of the teams left in the UCL.
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