World Cup-winner Lothar Matthaus has predicted that Tottenham will put their Wembley curse behind them tonight and beat Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League game – if they play with a back four.
Given the nature of the group, which also has Real Madrid in it, Matthaus said the game was effectively the first leg of a double that could decide the crucial second place spot in the group.
Talking in The Sun, Matthaus said, “When you look at the rest of Group H and see Real Madrid there, this game is effectively the first part of the showdown for second place.
“They [Spurs] are a far better team than they showed in the Champions League last season. They had a problem with Wembley but know the stadium better now and should be able to handle it.
“Spurs simply must not give Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang space to play in because that is when his explosive speed is a real threat.
“If Pochettino plays with three at the back again, that would mean three against one at Wembley and I think Spurs would miss a body in midfield.
“So they should play with a back four and push the full-backs on the wingers.”
He rounded off his preview of the match with his prediction, which will make Spurs fans happy.
Matthaus predicted a 2-1 victory for Spurs, which would put them in a strong position ahead of the return match with Dortmund on November 21.
OPINION
Tottenham desperately need all three points and a convincing performance at Wembley on Wednesday night. They lost their first two group games at Wembley last season and a 3-1 victory against CSKA Moscow was too little, too late. They’re a different side now. They’ve also had much more experience of playing at Wembley and they’re good enough to win. If manager Mauricio Pochettino can get them believing that then they should be good enough to beat Dortmund tonight. Matthaus is right though – if they give Aubameyang space to play in, it could be disastrous. A defeat tonight would be unthinkable for Pochettino – with Real Madrid to play twice, Spurs would be on the backfoot and fearing Europa League football after just one game.