LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Aurier or Trippier? Spurs’ right-back conundrum against Real Madrid

Outside view of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, pictured on April 16, 2017. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Follow us on Google Discover

Should Tottenham play Serge Aurier or Kieran Trippier against Real Madrid?

Outside view of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, pictured on April 16, 2017.Outside view of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.

Tottenham Hotspur face one of their biggest challenges of the season so far as they travel to the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Spurs have a 100 percent record in the group stage to date, but now take on the reigning champions in the competition in their own backyard.

Mauricio Pochettino favours the 3-4-3 formation and against free-scoring Madrid is likely to stick with three centre-backs, meaning he has a decision to make at right wing-back – Serge Aurier or Kieran Trippier?

Serge Aurier of Tottenham in action during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on September 23, 2017 in London, England.Serge Aurier of Tottenham in action during the Premier League match against West Ham United.

Serge Aurier

The Ivory Coast international arrived in North London from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer with a reputation of being something of a loose cannon and showed that when he was red carded in the Premier League against West Ham United.

In Europe, Pochettino has favoured Aurier, though, and the 24-year-old has started both of their games so far. On the break there are few better in his position than the ex-PSG man, but in a game when defensive discipline will be a priority is he too erratic?

Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur and Charlie Daniels of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at Wembley Stadium on October 14,...Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur and Charlie Daniels of AFC Bournemouth.

Kieran Trippier

Certainly the more reliable of the two options when not in possession, but it does really depend on whether Tottenham are going to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to win, or to avoid defeat.

Despite Pochettino’s positive style, one would suspect it could be the latter and with that in mind Trippier may well be the better selection, with the option of bringing Aurier on if they need to inject some pace and energy late on.