Tottenham have a huge task on their hands as they try to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the second leg of their League Cup match against Chelsea.
Spurs are without key player Heung-Min Son until after the January international break, head coach Antonio Conte revealed. They are also coming off an almighty scare from League One side Morecambe in the FA Cup on Saturday, trailing 1-0 until the 74th minute.
There have been rumours around the future of Tanguy Ndombele, who was booed off as he walked down the tunnel after being substituted at the weekend, but Conte was keen to downplay the situation.
“This type of situation, they are in football,” said Conte. “You have to be good to change the opinions I was a player and it happened sometimes to me that someone was unhappy with my performance.
“This is our life. It’s OK. We have to continue to work and try to be better next time. We have to know very well that if we perform well, the fans are happy. If you don’t perform well, the fans are not happy.”
What happened last time out
Chelsea proved too much for Tottenham in the first leg, with Kai Havertz and a Ben Davies own goal wrapping the game up in the first half.
Marcos Alonso latched onto a loose pass from Japhet Tanganga, then played Havertz in who finished past Hugo Lloris.
FA Cup third round: Tottenham survive a scare from League One Morecambe
Things went from bad to worse for Tottenham when Hakim Ziyech whipped in a free-kick from the far side, which was cleared by Tanganga only to deflect off the head of Davies and into the net.
Chelsea should’ve had more when Havertz directed a shot to the near post but Lloris got down well to save. Romelu Lukaku then had a header go just wide of the post. Finally, Timo Werner saw his curled shot just bend round the outside of the post. Spurs will feel lucky to have only lost by two goals.
What the managers have said
Conte expanded on Son’s injury in his pre-match press conference, saying the South Korean had “a bit of pain” after coming off in the first leg.
“You know very well the importance of this player for us,” he said.
“He came off during the game and no problem, but the day after he felt a bit of pain.”
The Italian was also realistic about his side’s chances of making the final for the second successive year.
He added: “It’s hard, we know we’re facing a really top team that last season won the Champions League and in the summer they invested much money to improve the squad.
“At this moment we’re playing the best in Europe and when you play against this type of team it’s hard.
“We have to show that compared to the first game we can improve and try to fight in the best way.”
Thomas Tuchel wants the Blues to stay focused ahead of the match tonight.
“It is another tough match in a tough stadium, they are a very good team and have a top, top coach,” Tuchel said.
“We have no foot in the final, we don’t think about that.
“We are prepared and it is better not to expect too much, we need to be fully aware of everything.”
Team news
As well as Son, Tottenham will also be without Steven Bergwijn, who has been linked with a move to Ajax, due to a calf injury, while Eric Dier is ill. Conte revealed Christian Romero is “very close” to returning to the team.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal while Edouard Mendy is away at the African Cup of Nations. The Spain international has impressed when filling in for the Senegalese so far this season.
N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva could return after recovering from coronavirus, but Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah are both out with hamstring injuries. Ben Chilwell is out for the remainder of the season.
