Monaco v Tottenham: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, November 21, 2016
Article summary
Mauricio Pochettino is still undecided what selection risks to take against Monaco as his Spurs side seek victory to maintain their hopes of reaching the round of 16.
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Article body
- Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino labels this a "must-win game"
- Monaco need just a point to book their place in the round of 16
- Radamel Falcao has scored five in three games for the Ligue 1 side
- ASM won 2-1 at Wembley when teams met on matchday one
- Spurs are the Premier League's only unbeaten side after 12 fixtures
Possible line-ups
Monaco: Subašić; Sidibé, Glik, Jemerson, Mendy; Silva, Fabinho, Bakayoko, Lemar; Germain, Falcao.
Doubtful: Moutinho (match fitness)
Misses next match if booked: Jemerson
Tottenham: Lloris; Trippier, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dembélé; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane.
Out: Walker (rested), Lamela (hip), Alderweireld (knee), Davies (ankle)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Leonardo Jardim, Monaco coach
We've told the players it's important to play our game and go for the win, to avoid thinking about playing for a draw – that could be dangerous for us. The key is to play with our heads and show great heart.
We're playing against a team that needs to win. I think Tottenham are a better team with Kane in their side. He's a player with a lot of quality. They have a lot of quality players throughout their side, though.
Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham manager
It's a game we must win so we need to find a way to do that. We know Monaco well and they're a very good team. We need to be clever and follow our plan. Taking risks or not taking risks? Football is about balance.
Our selection will depend on whether players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Moussa Dembélé can play 90 minutes or not. We don't want to take risks with them. We've had one day less than Monaco to recover. We need to see whether players have fully recovered or not. Some might need to start on the bench and then come on and make an impact.
Weekend results
Lorient 0-3 Monaco (Falcao 64, Lemar 67, Boschilia 90+3)
Radamel Falcao struck a minute after coming off the bench to set Monaco on their way to a third consecutive win – featuring 12 goals – and clean sheet. Falcao's effort was his fifth in three Monaco outings while Thomas Lemar found the net three days after making his France debut.
Tottenham 3-2 West Ham (Winks 51, Kane 89 90+1pen; Antonio 24, Lanzini 68pen)
Spurs were seven games without a win, and had scored only three goals – all of them spot kicks – in six outings before this remarkable turnaround. Harry Kane had not scored more than one in a single match since April.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Monaco: WWWDWD
Tottenham: WDLDLD
Reporter's view: David Crossan (@UEFAcomDavidC)
Ticking along at three goals scored per game in Ligue 1, Monaco can count on an in-form Falcao. The captain is the one to watch for the Tottenham defence, though the beauty of Jardim's team is that the goal threat comes from everywhere, including defenders such as Kamil Glik. I back Monaco to get the point they need to progress, even if an improving back line will be stretched by Kane and Co. Tottenham will throw everything into their last chance in the section.
Did you know?
Tottenham's Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko were in the France side beaten by João Moutinho's Portugal in the final of UEFA EURO 2016. Read more in our extensive match background.