ALLI READY TO FIRE US
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Spurs star tipped for a wonderful winter
TOTTENHAM (3-4-2-1): Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Aurier, Dier, Winks, Davies; Alli, Eriksen; Kane. REAL MADRID (4-3-1-2): Casilla; Achraf, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo. P W D L F A Pts TOTTENHAM 3 2 1 0 7 2 7 Real Madrid 3 2 1 0 7 2 7 B Dortmund 3 0 1 2 3 7 1 Apoel Nicosia 3 0 1 2 1 7 1
MAURICIO POCHETTINO insists Dele Alli will warm the hearts of Tottenham fans as temperatures drop.
The Spurs boss feels England star Alli has endured a troubled start to the season. The 21-year-old missed his team’s first three Champions League matches, including their 1-1 draw at Real Madrid, following a ban for a horror challenge against Gent last season.
Controversy
But Pochettino predicts giant leaps forward for the hot-headed youngster, who gets his chance against the Galacticos tonight.
“It’s true he’s disappointed with himself, that he’s not at his best, but it’s coming – like the winter is coming,” said Pochettino.
Alli has rarely been far from controversy at Spurs and also landed a one-match ban for sticking his middle finger up during England’s game against Slovakia in September.
On Saturday, he clashed with Manchester United’s Ashley Young in his team’s 1-0 defeat, with claims he told the ex-England international, 32, to “retire with a zimmer frame”.
Pochettino revealed Alli has not been in the best frame of mind this season. “It was a strange pre-season ® for him, difficult pre-season for him for different reasons,” he said.
“He was banned and then, of course, it can affect the motivation about preparing himself to compete.
“Always for the player that’s not involved from the beginning in a very exciting competition, you feel a little bit down.
“Now, we are so happy in the way that he is going. He is motivated now. I am not worried about him.
“But I think he needs to enjoy playing football. There are some times, playing football, when he will show his character and personality on the pitch, like he did against Manchester United. But that’s football.
“First of all, I think he is calm. I was relaxed at half-time after what happened on the pitch at Old Trafford. He is relaxed.
“Of course he is a winner and always wants to win. When someone tries to wind him up, it’s normal [to react].
“But I think his behaviour was good and when you’re in the game, you want to win, it’s normal to argue with an opponent.
“He is so young, still so young. Sometimes we expect too much and the expectation levels on him are massive because he’s shown already he is capable to create and do something special.”