Tottenham Vs Fiorentina: Match Thread

[chrissivad]

Banner by chrissivad​

Spurs 1-1 Fiorentina
Soldado Basanta​

Spurs: Lloris (c), Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Paulinho (Mason); Chadli (Kane), Eriksen, Townsend (Lamela); Soldado
Subs: Vorm, Dier, Rose, Dembele

Fiorentina: Tatarusanu, Rodriguez, Basanta, Savic, Pizarro, Joaquin, Fernandez, Valero Iglesias, Pasqual, Salah, Gomez.
Subs:

Ref: Carlos Velasco Carballo

Live On

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Official Site Match Centre

BBC Live Text
83 mins Substitution - Mason for Paulinho
72 mins Substitution - Lamela for Townsend
65 mins Substitution -Kane for Chadli
50 mins Booking Savic (Fiorentina) is shown the yellow card for a foul on Chaldi.
HALF TIME Tottenham1-1 Fiorentina
36 mins GOAL Tottenham1-1 Fiorentina - Jose Maria Basanta
Fiorentina hit back, and it is against the run of play. It is a disappointing goal as far as Tottenham are concerned as Jose Maria Basanta scrambles home in a crowded box after Hugo Lloris had denied a fierce drive seconds earlier.
35 mins Booking Roberto Soldado is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
5 mins GOAL Tottenham1-0 Fiorentina - Roberto Soldado
Great start for Tottenham! Paulinho swings in a corner and Roberto Soldado is left unmarked to volley in through a crowd, 1-0 Spurs.
3 mins Booking Gonzalo Rodríguez (Fiorentina) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
[prebreak][/prebreak]

Match Day Chatroom
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[hughy]

Sadly I'm going to miss this. Really hoping we can put it to bed tonight though, at least a 2-goal victory with a clean sheet please lads!



EDIT: Just realised that would be our second clean sheet in a month. Not a chance...

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

Really think there are many on here seriously underestimating Fiorentina. They have a very strong team and this is going to be hugely difficult, well organised defence (Rodriguez, Basanta, Savic, Alonso etc) and some real outlets up top/in attacking Mid too (Gomez performing slightly better recently after injury, Fernandesz, Salah, Babacar.)

They have a strong, tall striker in Babacar who has stepped up from the youth in the absence of Rossi and frequent injuries of Gomez. Despite his power he is technically ok and likes the ball at his feet. Given that Fiorentina don't like to play long then I don't think we need to make defensive choices based on him such as Fazio in for Dier. Although reports that Gomez will start this game in attack after a very good beginning to the year after a nightmare spell.


We will have to really press in the midfield with the passing qualities of Valero (and to a sligtly lesser extent Badelj, Fernandez and Pizarro - not sure who will line up though), and even though Cuadrado has gone they have pace in Salah who has hurt us before-he came in and had a cracking debut for them.

As far as i'm aware they play a 352 formation, or maybe even a 3511 formation. They like to play a possession game and keep the ball not minding if they have to go backwards. It's a patient game. We will have to utilise our pressing efficiently. Due to this and the formation, they obviously have a lot of bodies in the midfield area, hopefully if or 3 CAMS are diligent enough we wont get overrun in the middle. They are alos very effective from set pieces... which always makes me a little nervous as Spurs fan.

I have read that they struggle to create chances when the defence is really pressed, and stretched. Hopefully it will be a clash of two styles and we implement ours better!

They are on a hot run of form, including beating Roma, and will be confident. They are challenging for the CL places in Serie A and sit in 4th place.

However this may dictate that they don'y play their strongest team as they are playing midtable Torino who are on a very good run of form on Sunday.

Fiorentina also have several players (6?) who have played in England, meaning they will be more familiar with the pace of the game and us as an opposition.

Saying that, if we play like we did against Arsenal and at times against the Scousers then we should have enough to get a lead going into the second leg.

COYS!

 

[Kendall]

Really think there are many on here seriously underestimating Fiorentina. They have a very strong team and this is going to be hugely difficult, well organised defence (Rodriguez, Basanta, Savic, Alonso etc) and some real outlets up top/in attacking Mid too (Gomez performing slightly better recently, Fernandesz, Salah.)

We will have to really press in the midfield with the passing qualities of Valero (and to a sligtly lesser extent Badelj, Fernandez and Pizarro - not sure who will line up though), and even though Cuadrado has gone they have pace in Salah who has hurt us before-he came in and had a cracking debut for them.

They are on a hot run of form, including beating Roma, and will be confident.

Fiorentina also have several players (6?) who have played in England, meaning they will be more familiar with the pace of the game and us as an opposition.

Saying that, if we play like we did against Arsenal and at times against the Scousers then we should have enough to get a lead going into the second leg.

COYS!

Badelj!

Not seen that name for a while, he ranks alongside Capel, Veloso and Damiao as the top SC saviours of Spurs that never happened.

 

[Cavehillspur]

They're currently 4th in Serie A, gonna be a toughie. Our performances in the EL havent been that good this season but we've really cracked on and improved in the league since our last involvement, interesting to see how we do against this lot.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

I hope our players can put West Ham and the Cup Final to the back of their minds for the 90 mins tonight more successfully than I can...

 

[mpickard2087]

Yeah I have always thought this is going to be a very tough tie, they have enough quality to cause us problems and I think people have dismissed them somewhat. Will need a very good performance tonight.

 

[DuDe]

Unless we come out of the blocks firing, it's probably going to be another stressful night.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Really think there are many on here seriously underestimating Fiorentina. They have a very strong team and this is going to be hugely difficult, well organised defence (Rodriguez, Basanta, Savic, Alonso etc) and some real outlets up top/in attacking Mid too (Gomez performing slightly better recently after injury, Fernandesz, Salah, Babacar.)

They have a strong, tall striker in Babacar who has stepped up from the youth in the absence of Rossi and frequent injuries of Gomez. Despite his power he is technically ok and likes the ball at his feet. Given that Fiorentina don't like to play long then I don't think we need to make defensive choices based on him such as Fazio in for Dier. Although reports that Gomez will start this game in attack after a very good beginning to the year after a nightmare spell.


We will have to really press in the midfield with the passing qualities of Valero (and to a sligtly lesser extent Badelj, Fernandez and Pizarro - not sure who will line up though), and even though Cuadrado has gone they have pace in Salah who has hurt us before-he came in and had a cracking debut for them.

As far as i'm aware they play a 352 formation, or maybe even a 3511 formation. They like to play a possession game and keep the ball not minding if they have to go backwards. It's a patient game. We will have to utilise our pressing efficiently. Due to this and the formation, they obviously have a lot of bodies in the midfield area, hopefully if or 3 CAMS are diligent enough we wont get overrun in the middle. They are alos very effective from set pieces... which always makes me a little nervous as Spurs fan.

I have read that they struggle to create chances when the defence is really pressed, and stretched. Hopefully it will be a clash of two styles and we implement ours better!

They are on a hot run of form, including beating Roma, and will be confident. They are challenging for the CL places in Serie A and sit in 4th place.

However this may dictate that they don'y play their strongest team as they are playing midtable Torino who are on a very good run of form on Sunday.

Fiorentina also have several players (6?) who have played in England, meaning they will be more familiar with the pace of the game and us as an opposition.

Saying that, if we play like we did against Arsenal and at times against the Scousers then we should have enough to get a lead going into the second leg.

COYS!

Yep, people saying we need to win this 3-0 and then play second XI in the 2nd leg. Not going to happen. I think we'll struggle to get a win of any kind.

 

[thinktank]

Yep, people saying we need to win this 3-0 and then play second XI in the 2nd leg. Not going to happen. I think we'll struggle to get a win of any kind.

We need to approach it with that mindset and go out to try and execute that and get a much as we can from the tie today. I don't think we have a choice.

The final will be on our minds in the second game, we have to try and use our home advantage and treat it as a single leg tie.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

We need to approach it with that mindset and go out to try and execute that and get a much as we can from the tie today. I don't think we have a choice.

The final will be on our minds in the second game, we have to try and use our home advantage and treat it as a single leg tie.

Of course that will be our mindset. That's going to be our mindset for every game. I just think it's completely unrealistic to expect some sort of massive victory.

Even if we do win 3-0, we know what happened against Inter, and with the final in our minds for the second game. similar problems could arise.

 

[CockFlavour]

Really think there are many on here seriously underestimating Fiorentina.

I agree.

Anyway. 5-0 to us

 

[thinktank]

Of course that will be our mindset. That's going to be our mindset for every game. I just think it's completely unrealistic to expect some sort of massive victory.

Even if we do win 3-0, we know what happened against Inter, and with the final in our minds for the second game. similar problems could arise.

I don't think 2-0 at home is unrealistic tbh, considering the way we've been playing.

Watched their last two games; they are a competent side, but not blow-your-socks-off.

 

[teok]

Yep it will be a very tough game but the lads have had a much needed break and we can finally shift roger's gloating mug off the front page of the site.

COYS!

 

[THFCSPURS19]

I don't think 2-0 at home is unrealistic tbh, considering the way we've been playing.

Watched their last two games; they are a competent side, but not blow-your-socks-off.

And apparently very good defensively, so they'll probably try to park the bus, which usually fucks us up.

 

[Mr Pink]

Really think there are many on here seriously underestimating Fiorentina. They have a very strong team and this is going to be hugely difficult, well organised defence (Rodriguez, Basanta, Savic, Alonso etc) and some real outlets up top/in attacking Mid too (Gomez performing slightly better recently after injury, Fernandesz, Salah, Babacar.)

They have a strong, tall striker in Babacar who has stepped up from the youth in the absence of Rossi and frequent injuries of Gomez. Despite his power he is technically ok and likes the ball at his feet. Given that Fiorentina don't like to play long then I don't think we need to make defensive choices based on him such as Fazio in for Dier. Although reports that Gomez will start this game in attack after a very good beginning to the year after a nightmare spell.


We will have to really press in the midfield with the passing qualities of Valero (and to a sligtly lesser extent Badelj, Fernandez and Pizarro - not sure who will line up though), and even though Cuadrado has gone they have pace in Salah who has hurt us before-he came in and had a cracking debut for them.

As far as i'm aware they play a 352 formation, or maybe even a 3511 formation. They like to play a possession game and keep the ball not minding if they have to go backwards. It's a patient game. We will have to utilise our pressing efficiently. Due to this and the formation, they obviously have a lot of bodies in the midfield area, hopefully if or 3 CAMS are diligent enough we wont get overrun in the middle. They are alos very effective from set pieces... which always makes me a little nervous as Spurs fan.

I have read that they struggle to create chances when the defence is really pressed, and stretched. Hopefully it will be a clash of two styles and we implement ours better!

They are on a hot run of form, including beating Roma, and will be confident. They are challenging for the CL places in Serie A and sit in 4th place.

However this may dictate that they don'y play their strongest team as they are playing midtable Torino who are on a very good run of form on Sunday.

Fiorentina also have several players (6?) who have played in England, meaning they will be more familiar with the pace of the game and us as an opposition.

Saying that, if we play like we did against Arsenal and at times against the Scousers then we should have enough to get a lead going into the second leg.

COYS!

I've watched their last four or five games and I wasn't that impressed. The cup game against Roma was a total non entity as well, just two disjointed sides, as both made changes, playing at a hideous low tempo. Gomez scored a good goal though.

They have a real attacking presence in Gomez obviously, and Salah has made them more fluid looking in attack, IMO, but they're weak defensively - specifically down the flanks as their full backs leave too much space. That was definitely a common theme I spotted when watching them.

That said they do offer a decent attacking threat and they're 4th in Serie A for a reason. Although I watch quite a bit of Serie A and its not the strongest league in truth. All the top sides suffer from inconsistency, bar Juve, even Roma look good one week and pretty average the next. As do Napoli.

Even though they have a few players that have experience of playing here, I still think if we overwhelm with our high pressing game they won't know whats hit them.

If we take our foot off the gas in that respect it will become a tight tactical affair, which will most definitely suit them in terms of getting a result they'd like. So its all about how we approach the game, and how we start it as obvious as it sounds.

If we start similar to what we did against Arsenal I expect us to win tonight.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

I've watched their last four or five games and I wasn't that impressed. The cup game against Roma was a total non entity as well, just two disjointed sides, as both made changes, playing at a hideous low tempo. Gomez scored a good goal though.

They have a real attacking presence in Gomez obviously, and Salah has made them more fluid looking in attack, IMO, but they're weak defensively - specifically down the flanks as their full backs leave too much space. That was definitely a common theme I spotted when watching them.

That said they do offer a decent attacking threat and they're 4th in Serie A for a reason. Although I watch quite a bit of Serie A and its not the strongest league in truth. All the top sides suffer from inconsistency, bar Juve, even Roma look good one week and pretty average the next.

Even though they have a few players that have experience of playing here, I still think if we overwhelm with our high pressing game they won't know whats hit them.

If we take our foot off the gas in that respect it will become a tight tactical affair, which will most definitely suit them in terms of getting a result they'd like. So its all about how we approach the game, and how we start it as obvious as it sounds.

If we start similar to what we did against Arsenal I expect us to win tonight.

Completely agree with this in bold, I think the way we have started to play recently gives us the tactical game that Fiorentina would least like to play against.

I wouldn't call them weak defensively particularly, not in the centre of the pitch. Although they do leave too much space and don't pick up men in the wide areas as you say, which is certainly a weakness. Hopefully this can be exploited.

 

[Mr Pink]

Completely agree with this in bold, I think the way we have started to play recently gives us the tactical game that Fiorentina would least like to play against.

I wouldn't call them weak defensively particularly, not in the centre of the pitch. Although they do leave too much space and don't pick up men in the wide areas as you say, which is certainly a weakness. Hopefully this can be exploited.

Down the sides was really obvious to me when I watched them.

Their game against Atalanta, where they just scraped a 3-2 win in the last minute, they were getting hammered in the wide areas. Atalanta are a poor side to, I remember thinking a better side would of really punished them in those situations, there was just so much space - it was incredible.

Hopefully we can take advantage tonight if they leave space like they have been.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Going to this, love the big European nights.

And no offence, but is that really the best picture you can find of Pochettino in the OP?? He looks like beleaguered chav on his way back from court.

 

[dirtyh]

Unless we come out of the blocks firing, it's probably going to be another stressful night.

if you look under stressful in the dictionary there's a picture of us. that's how we roll, even when we're winning

think we can get an away goal so as long as we're leading in some shape or form after tonight I'd take that.