The Champions League draw put Tottenham against the 33-time Serie A Champions Juventus. But here are 4 reasons why Spurs should be confident about winning:
1. Juventus are an old side
This is just a statement of undeniable fact. Juventus are an old time. Yes this means they have a tonne of experience, but sometimes having energy in your legs can mean so much more.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are a young side. Their ideal XI this season has a combined age of 271, averaging out to 25.64. Meanwhile Juventus’ ideal XI has a stunning total combined age of 321, averaging out at 29.18. Paulo Dybala is the only regular Juve starter under the age of 25, meanwhile Tottenham only have three regular starters over that age.
Juventus already look like a side that has reached the end of their lifespan, sitting in third place in the Serie A table and recently failing to beat table topping Inter to reclaim the league lead. Meanwhile Tottenham are young and hungry, reading to prove that the Champions League is no country for old man.
2. Tottenham can mix it with the big boys
For the longest time, Tottenham were something of a joke in the big games. Not anymore, though. Mauricio Pochettino has turned Tottenham into a dynamic slayer of demons. Last year they stopped the momentum of Manchester City and Chelsea when it seemed like nothing else could, and this season they’ve taken that skill to Europe.
In a group with Borussia Dortmund and two-time defending European Champions Real Madrid, everyone expected Spurs to make the Europa League. Then when they beat Dortmund and Wembley, it was thought they might sneak second. But then they played Real Madrid and across 180 minutes of football were the superior side for probably 140. They drew away, won at home, and then capped it all by beating Dortmund in Germany to seal their spot as group winners.
Totenham are a different animal now. They won’t fear Juventus.
3. Juventus struggle against English teams
This is plain and simple; in their last five ties against English teams in Europe, Juventus have been knocked out. That list includes Liverpool, Arsenal, but also Fulham. The Bianconeri aren’t great against English sides, and this will give Tottenham a psychological edge over their opponents.
4. Harry Kane is the man
One thing that so often decides big Champions League ties is goalscoring genius. Great goalscorers have often left their mark on the European Cup by performing when their team needs them the most.
| Team | Shots | Goals | Shot Conversion | Games | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Kane | Tottenham | 23 | 6 | 26% | 5 | 417 |
| Gonzalo Higuaín | Juventus | 14 | 2 | 14% | 6 | 477 |
| Mario Mandzukic | Juventus | 11 | 2 | 18% | 3 | 270 |
| Paulo Dybala | Juventus | 26 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 505 |
Tottenham’s Harry Kane is one such man. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has more goals than the Englishman in this season’s competition, and when compared to Juventus’ main goal threats, Kane is streets ahead.
When the big games roll around, Tottenham will be the team with the biggest goal threat on the pitch. A superstar whose goals are capable of settling what could be a tight tie.
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