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Tottenham team news vs Barcelona: Predicted line up – Right-back decision, Messi plan
TOTTENHAM are struggling with injuries to several key players ahead of their Champions League clash with Barcelona at the Nou Camp tonight (8pm).
Tottenham have a selection crisis in defence ahead of a crunch Champions League clash with Barcelona this evening.
Spurs need to match Inter Milan’s result against PSV Eindhoven in order to progress through to the knockout stages of the competition.
But Mauricio Pochettino’s side will take on Barcelona without a number of their key defensive stars, including no senior right-back with Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier injured.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Pochettino said: “I think Kyle Walker-Peters has the option to play, I want to remind you that 18 months ago he won the Under-20 World Cup in Korea and his quality is unbelievable.
“Young players always need the trust and need to play and to play in a difficult place like the Nou Camp will make him stronger than before.
“We don't have doubts that he can perform.”
Trippier has been struggling with a groin injury since the World Cup and aggravated the problem during his return to action in the win over Southampton on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Serge Aurier started at right-back against Leicester but limped off – leaving the door open for 21-year-old Walker-Peters to start against Barcelona.
“I am so happy this season to have three very good players in that position – three with very different qualities and he has the quality to play and perform,” said Pochettino.
“He needs to feel free, he is a very relaxed player and person and the most important thing is we believe in him, whatever happens tomorrow happens, we are going to be happy and it is going to be a massive success for him and for the team for sure.”
Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are set to start in the centre of defence with Davinson Sanchez injured and Juan Foyth ineligible after not being registered for the Champions League campaign.
Further forward, Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama are both sidelined while Erik Lamela is a doubt but has travelled to Spain with the rest of his team-mates.
Barcelona are already through to the knockout stages as group winners and are expected to rest several first-team stars for the clash.
Luis Suarez is definitely sidelined due to injury but Lionel Messi could still feature, although Pochettino has claimed the Argentinian’s presence will not impact his plans.
“I am not focused on the starting XI,” the Spurs boss said.
“Different names have different qualities to add to the team but they are going to be strong, to try and beat us for different reasons.
“That is not my business. Valverde is going to decide the best for the team.
“If they play one or another, for us the motivation should be the same, the approach and thinking about delivering the best result and be trying to be close to win.”
Tottenham Hotspur predicted line-up vs Barcelona – Champions League
(4-2-3-1): Lloris, Walker-Peters, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Rose; Sissoko, Dier; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane.