Tottenham travel to the Etihad with a 1-0 first-leg advantage over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Mauricio Pochettino will be tasked with getting the better of Pep Guardiola again if his side are to progress to the semi-finals, ending City’s hopes of a quadruple this season.
Here, we look at the key tactics he may employ.
Click here for Man City’s key tactics.
MOURA IN FOR KANE
The scenario is set up perfectly for Tottenham to adopt a counter-attacking strategy. With Harry Kane unavailable, it makes sense to draft in Lucas Moura who scored a hat-trick against Huddersfield over the weekend. The Brazilian’s searing pace plays perfectly into Spurs’ plans to attack City on the break. In the absence of Kane’s link-up play in the final third, Mauricio Pochettino will urge his side to adopt a more direct style.
City must score at the Etihad Stadium and as they commit numbers forward, the mobile duo of Son Heung-min and Moura – complemented by Dele Alli’s presence in support – will be on hand to pounce in the transition.
DIAMOND SYSTEM
In Kane’s absence, Spurs are almost certain to go with two up top but rather than favour a more familiar three-man defence in that set-up, Pochettino might want to consider a 4-4-2 diamond instead. City will be keen on dominating possession and dictating play in the midfield. A diamond would help the visitors contain the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Meanwhile, Moussa Sissoko’s presence on the right of midfield should help Kieran Trippier cope with what may be an attacking City left flank should Pep Guardiola bring in both Leroy Sane and Benjamin Mendy as he did away to Crystal Palace over the weekend.
