Team v Fiorentina

[guy]

We played a EL game 3 days before the final with Chelski in 08 and that worked out ok! The squad is alot stronger these days too, so we'll be fine.

The extra adrenaline in the final, at wembley, in front of that many people will sustain the players for 90mins

 

[Sandros Shiny Head]

I know its stupid to even think about but does the Europa League runner up qualify for CL if the winner gets in from the league or does their league get 1 more spot?

 

[DaSpurs]

We played a EL game 3 days before the final with Chelski in 08 and that worked out ok! The squad is alot stronger these days too, so we'll be fine.

The extra adrenaline in the final, at wembley, in front of that many people will sustain the players for 90mins

The squad is stronger, but we're still unfortunately a bit thin in some places. I fear we'll once again see Kane and Eriksen played four games in the next ten days. Hopefully we can do something to avoid that later today.

 

[rocklink]

Lloris
Chiriches - Fazio - Dier - Davies
capoue - paulinho
townsend - ade - chadli
soldado

 

[ajspurs]

The squad is stronger, but we're still unfortunately a bit thin in some places. I fear we'll once again see Kane and Eriksen played four games in the next ten days. Hopefully we can do something to avoid that later today.

Yeah, and not to mention that Wembley is a pretty big pitch too.

 

[garryparkerschest]

The team I would play today would be a team that you'd wish could finish the tie tonight. I know the game against West Ham is important but I believe we should go all out in the Europa League as it's a trophy and football is all about glory.

It's a balancing act and a tricky one and that. Despite the sales in January I still think we have a strong enough squad to compete in both competitions. The League cup is the most important and we would need to give our imprtant players a free week in the build up to it.

Without know the physical condition of our current squad my team for today would be...

Vorm, Walker, Davies, Fazio, Dier, Stambouli, Mason, Lamela, Eriksen, Townsend and Kane.

Against West Ham it would be

Lloris, Walker, Rose Dier, Vertonghen, Bentaleb, Mason, Lamela, Dembele, Eriksen and Kane.

and then for Florence with hopefully a commanding lead.

Vorm, Chirches, Davies, Fazio, Kaboul, Stambouli, Pauliniho, Chadli, Soldado, Townsend and Ade.

Personally I would like to see Chadli play the important games but Poch seems to have faith in Lamela and I hope he returns it.

For the League final I reckon it'll be the same as the team that faces West Ham.

It's such a tricky balance to find the right formula, it's giving me a headache. It must be ten times worse for Poch.

 

[bubble07]

Guys this is Fiorentina. They have won 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 games and are a quality side. People need to stop saying "finish this tie off in this leg" We sound like liverpool fans

 

[garryparkerschest]

Guys this is Fiorentina. They have won 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 games and are a quality side. People need to stop saying "finish this tie off in this leg" We sound like liverpool fans

Totally agree with you but if we were to get a commanding lead it would make our next fortnight a little bit easier.

 

[Cavehillspur]

Guys this is Fiorentina. They have won 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 games and are a quality side. People need to stop saying "finish this tie off in this leg" We sound like liverpool fans

Unbeaten in 8 and just beat Roma 2-0 in Coppa Italia (at Roma) no mugs.

 

[bubble07]

Totally agree with you but if we were to get a commanding lead it would make our next fortnight a little bit easier.

Totally get that but there seems to be this perception that this will be an easy game

 

[Maxtremist]

Guys this is Fiorentina. They have won 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 games and are a quality side. People need to stop saying "finish this tie off in this leg" We sound like liverpool fans

Whilst I agree with the principle of what you're saying, I think people are saying it not because we're underestimating Fiorentina, but more that we'd want to have an easier second leg before the final VS Chelsea. So we'd want to be so good tonight that we can effectively finish off the tie (which is a tough ask we know)

 

[nedley]

Guys this is Fiorentina. They have won 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 games and are a quality side. People need to stop saying "finish this tie off in this leg" We sound like liverpool fans

Agree.

One game at a time.

 

[Doctor Dinkey]

As other people have pointed out, this is a quality, ruthless team. Put out a weakened side (i.e. Soldado, Paulinho, Chiriches, etc) and we could find ourselves two down in the blink of an eyelid and effectively out of the competition.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

I've just written a basic preview in the match thread of Fiorentina, but as others have said- they are a quality team and while they do have good individual players it is also them as a unit which creates their strength. Solid defence, great possesion, pace out wide enabling them to switch play, they play 352 and like to play a patient build up game.

It won't be easy. But the way Pochettino likes to play with the high press seems to be their biggest weakness.

We should have enough tonight but it won't be a walk in the park, whatsoever.

 

[Zlatan]

We need to take a good result with us tonight, after next weeks game we've got Chelsea in the final and I'd like to get into that game with fresh legs so big rotation next Thursday...

Today...
Hugo (C);
Walker, Fazio, Jan, Davies;
Paulinho, Nabil;
Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli;
Kane.

Vorm, Dier, Rose, Mason, Mousa, Andros, Soldado.

 

[dwaynedibley]

Totally agree with you but if we were to get a commanding lead it would make our next fortnight a little bit easier.

We won't be getting a commanding lead, I will guarantee you that, only beat Sheffield Utd 1-0 recently so a 1-0 lead here would be decent!

 

[JAYSTAR]

We need to pick teams that will do well against the styles of the next two teams we're facing. Against fiorentina we need pace and width, against west ham we need height and muscle:

Vs Fiorentina:

Vorm
Walker Dier Verts Rose
Mason Stambouli
Townsend Dembele Eriksen
Kane

In order to save them for Sunday, I would be looking to sub on Paulinho, Chadli and Soldado, for Mason, Dembele and Kane or Eriksen.
​

Vs West Ham:

Lloris
Chiriches Fazio Verts Davies
Mason Bentaleb
Lamela Dembele Eriksen
Kane

Much more defensive at the back and Chadli, Townsend to come on later in the game to add pace to the attack.
​

 

[talkshowhost86]

I think we need Fazio in the team to deal with the aerial threat of Gomez and if they are going to play a 3-5-2 formation then we will also need bodies in midfield to make sure we don't lose control of the game in the centre of the park.

I'd go with:

Lloris

Walker Fazio Vertonghen Rose

Bentaleb Stambouli

Lamela Dembele Eriksen

Kane
​

Dembele will need to drop into the midfield if we are getting overrun there, but hopefully Walker and Rose can keep their fullbacks busy.

There's an argument for the energy of Mason and the goal threat of Chadli, but for me Mason has looked a bit out of sorts recently and costs us possession too much, and if Lamela can't perform against an Italian team then when is he going to?

 

[Mr Pink]

Guys this is Fiorentina. They have won 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 games and are a quality side. People need to stop saying "finish this tie off in this leg" We sound like liverpool fans

I agree they're no mugs but I've watched them a lot recently and they didn't really impress me. They leave loads of space down their flanks and their full backs are weak defensively.

Those results down actually tell the full story but of course they should be respected, like any other decent side coming to the Lane.

 

[walworthyid]

Are people seriously talking about resting players? This is a top side that we will struggle to beat with our best 11 playing at their best. We should go for it with everything that we have and then go again on Sunday and in cup final after that.

We play our best and give it all we have.