Jose Mourinho revealed that both Giovani Lo Celso and Lucas Moura did not start the 1-1 draw with Burnley at the weekend because he was saving the pair for tonight’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig. The Portuguese boss admitted that the duo were “tired” after two hours of football against Norwich City and that they needed a rest. But given they only played half of the match against the Clarets, the pair should be raring to go in this evenings Champions League tie. Moura and Lo Celso must provide the impact required to see Tottenham Hotspur through to the next round of the competition that Mauricio Pochettino guided the Lilywhites to the final of last term.
Having lost the first leg 1-0 the onus is now on Mourinho’s side to travel to Germany and find the back of the net, something which they have struggled with since Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were ruled out for the remainder of the season. Since then Tottenham Hotspur have scored just twice in the Premier League from open play, both of which came in the 3-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In the Champions League this evening Lo Celso and Moura must turn Tottenham Hotspur’s troubles in attack around and restore the faith that Mourinho has placed in them. Between them, the Tottenham Hotspur pair have been involved in 13 goals combined this season and they are clearly adept at locating the back of the net themselves or creating chances for others.
With Dele Alli having played for the full 90 minutes at Turf Moor, along with providing the equalising goal via the penalty spot, the onus is no longer on the Englishman to provide the breakthrough in Germany. Moura and Lo Celso must use their fresh legs to press the Bundesliga side from the off, hassling the opposition, forcing Leipzig into mistakes.
If Tottenham can utilise the extra energy in forward areas to turnover possession close to the opposition penalty area, then they will have chances to break the deadlock. Mourinho has given two of his best remaining forward options the rest they require to perform at their best this evening, now it is down to the duo to hold up their end of the deal.
