It feels like they are punting on CL, which sucks after only one game. Keeping very low expectations for the
@Zososoxfan derby.
Inter is my Serie A team as well! Sad that they can't all advance, but nonetheless these matches have been fun for me and Spurs-Barca should be the best. Should be very entertaining.
Vertonghen is a great player, but Alderwireld/Sanchez are still a very capable CB tandem, even against an elite team. I'm more worried about the lack of offensive options without Eriksen/Dele; they'll need big games from Kane/Son/Lucas.
Eriksen-Dele being out is definitely a huge problem. Son and Lucas are quite good though. Might we see a Lamela start (gasp!)?!?
Feels like 3 at the back, dropping Dier in between Toby and Davinson. Then looking to spring Son and Lucas/Lamela on the break.
The way Barca have been attacking lately, the threat usually comes from in front of the back line. Barca don't throw runners behind the defense in the middle anymore--it's one of the reasons why their offense can stagnate. Suarez is always a target, but other than him the only one that runs in behind is Alba. Couts and Dembele both like to pick up the ball and try to combine their way in. Dembouz has really been trick or treat. When he's on, he can score wondergoals that destabilize a match. When he's off, he's invisible. Vidal surprisingly, is the one player that seems to be adding a new dynamic. His through balls are surprisingly good and he's getting more and more comfortable. He's still trying to figure out how to combine with his mates effectively, but I think he would be better served by making runs forward and opening space. Him and Rakitic can both do that.
Barcelona’s away form in Europe has been total crap the last few years. They’ve won 3 of their last 10 away fixtures, getting completely drubbed by Juve, City, Roma, and PSG and eking our lifeless draws with the likes of Olympiacos and Conte’s crisis Chelsea last spring. The injury situation doesn’t sound good but Spurs should be expecting to get something from this match.
While that's true of the knockouts, Barca are usually pretty sound in the group stages. They often draw against the 2-seed on the road, but usually finish with 14-15 points. In fact, in the last 5 group stages they have finished first every time, and finished with 14, 15, 14, 15, and 13 points respectively.
The thing I will be watching for today (on delay sadly) is speed. Barca have looked glacial, especially Pique and especially on the counter. We'll likely see Pique and Lenglet in the middle and Lenglet hasn't been tested at this level yet and Pique can be attacked. I would expect Spurs to not press the CBs but instead press the middle of the field hard. That's where Barca have been struggling when Couts and Messi don't drop back. Nevertheless, I think Barca's pocket aces Messi and Couts create some magic and Barca comes away with a 2-1 result, maybe 2-2 draw if Spurs' attack is on form.