Inter Milan vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- What: Uefa Champions League group B matchday one
- When: Tuesday 18 September
- Where: San Siro, Milan, Italy
- Kick-off time: 5.55pm (all times UK)
- TV channel: BT Sport 3, coverage starts at 5.15pm
Tottenham Hotspur start their Champions League campaign with a tough opening match in group B against Inter Milan at the San Siro.
After reaching the round of 16 last season, Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be aiming to go further in 2018-19. However, the north London club head to Italy on the back of two disappointing Premier League defeats against Watford and Liverpool.
England captain Harry Kane has looked tired in recent weeks and struggled against Liverpool but Pochettino says he would be “crazy” to rest his star striker.
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On Kane starting against Inter the Spurs boss told the Independent: “He’s one of the best strikers in the world. I don’t care that he wasn’t great [on Saturday against Liverpool]. He’s going to score goals and he’s going to perform in the way we want and we expect. No problem.”
Inter suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Parma at the weekend and this leaves them with only four points from four Serie A games. Goal.com reports that Inter boss Luciano Spalletti was “at a loss” after the “painful defeat”.
Spanish giants Barcelona host Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the other group B fixture on Tuesday (5.55pm kick-off).
Inter Milan vs. Spurs team news
The London Evening Standard reports that Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (thigh injury) will miss the clash in Italy so Michel Vorm will continue to deputise. Midfielders Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko are also out.
South Korean forward Son Heung-Min may start, says the Daily Express, as could defender Davinson Sanchez.
Sky Sports reports that Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier have not travelled to Milan. Serge Aurier could come in for Trippier while Sanchez is expected to take Alderweireld’s place.
Pochettino revealed that the decision to leave defenders Trippier and Alderweireld out of the squad was a “technical decision”.
“We still have out Hugo Lloris, Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko - they are in London,” said Pochettino. “Then a technical decision in London - Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier.
“It was a technical decision. You can find it in the dictionary, technical decision. Maybe tactical also on the pitch, yes, it’s tactical too. But it’s a technical decision. You cannot bring 25 players and can only play 11 and seven on the bench. That is the reason.”
Inter boss Spalletti has confirmed that Croatian defender Sime Vrsaljko will miss the game because of injury. Goal.com reports that defender Danilo D’Ambrosio is also a doubt and a decision will need to be made over star striker and captain Mauro Icardi. He was only fit enough to be on the bench against Parma.
Predicted starting XIs
How the two teams could line up at the San Siro, according to talkSPORT.
- Inter possible starting XI: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar, Dalbert; Brozovic, Gagliardini; Perisic, Nainggolan, Candreva; Icardi
- Tottenham possible starting XI: Vorm; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Moura, Eriksen, Son; Kane
Group B matchday one fixtures
Tuesday 18 September
- Barcelona vs. PSV Eindhoven (5.55pm)
- Inter Milan vs. Tottenham Hotspur (5.55pm)
How to watch it on TV
The group B clash between Inter and Spurs will be shown live on BT Sport 3, coverage starts at 5.15pm and kick-off is at 5.55pm. Barcelona vs. PSV Eindhoven is live on BT Sport 1.
