Bale won’t be the main man against Inter
“Taxi For Maicon!” was the cry from Tottenham Hotspur fans back in 2010. Gareth Bale had just given the then Inter Milan right-back and tormenting evening at White Hart Lane in the north London sides’ Champions League debut in an encounter that saw Spurs secure a memorable 3-1 win over the Nerazzurri.
When Mousa Dembele netted a last gasp equaliser in Lyon last month, a return to London for Inter was guaranteed following their 5-0 aggregate win over CFR Cluj. But it won’t be Bale on Thursday night that makes the difference against the Serie A outfit.
Up against Javier Zanetti, a defensively stronger full-back than Maicon, Bale won’t receive the space that emerged behind the now Manchester City defender, with the 39-year-old expected to sit deeper in order to bolster the defence in the absence of Andrea Ranocchia, Walter Samuel and Matias Silvestre.
That’ll leave the attacking impetus thrust onto the shoulders of Aaron Lennon. The pint sized winger has been in excellent form this season, only to see Bale steal the limelight and it’s no surprise. However, with no Yuto Nagatomo, Alvaro Pereira, a player head coach Andre Villas-Boas knows well, will likely deputise at left-back.
The Uruguayan may be a threat pushing forward, but his defensive frailties mean he’s suspect to balls in behind him which will likely free up Lennon to attack the former FC Porto ace and it’s here that Spurs should attack in order to secure a positive result against the Milanese side on Thursday night.
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