The big matchup in this week’s Champions League will see Tottenham Hotspur host German giants Bayern Munich. Bayern are top of the Bundesliga table and undefeated after 6 games, while Spurs are fifth in the Premier League table, winning 3, drawing 2, and losing 2 in their opening 7 games of the season.
Both teams narrowly won over the weekend, with Spurs defeating Southampton 2-1, after going down to 10 men in the first half, while Bayern won 3-2 against Paderborn.
The English side could only draw their opening-round game in the Champions League, while Bayern hammered Red Star Belgrade 3-0.
Let’s take a look at the 3 key battles in the game between Tottenham and Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski vs Jan Vertonghen
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 10 goals in 6 games for the German giants in Bundesliga, while also scoring a goal in Bayern’s first-round match in the Champions League.
The 31-year-old striker has scored in every game that he has played in this season, which will worry Spurs and centre-backs, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. Lewandowski will most likely be up against Vertonghen, who could be in for a tough night as the Polish international’s movement and impeccable finishing are a notch higher than what he has faced in recent weeks.
Son Heung-Min vs Niklas Süle
Son Heung-Min, surprisingly, did not start the first game of this season’s Champions League, against Olympiacos, and was brought on by manager Mauricio Pochettino. The South Korean is a player who can make things happen in the final third with his acceleration, smart movement and link-up play.
He will most likely play as a forward alongside Harry Kane for Spurs against Bayern and move to the left to help his team defensively. The South Korean will come up against Niklas Süle, the German centre-back who is strong in the air, but not the quickest. Spurs could maybe exploit that weakness that exists in Bayern’s backline.
Philippe Coutinho vs Harry Winks
Former Liverpool attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho will know all about Bayern’s Champions League opponents, having played against Spurs on 12 occasions, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Coutinho, who is on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona, has had a good start to his career in Germany, scoring twice and providing two assists in his 5 appearances in the Bundesliga so far. The Brazilian could cause a myriad of problems for Spurs midfielder Harry Winks, who may have to stop Coutinho from getting on the ball, while he himself will have to move the ball quickly to his attacking teammates.