Spanish Newspaper's Predicted Starting XI For Spurs Against Real Is Mental

Spurs face the toughest of tests this evening when they take on last season's Champions League winners Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

After recent European woes, Mauricio Pochettino's side looked to have found their winning formula in the Champions League, having picked up two convincing wins over APOEL Nicosia and Borussia Dortmund in Group H.

Image: PA

Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid side, who have struggled domestically this season, have identical record to Spurs in Europe this term, with both joint top having collected six points, scored six goals and conceded just once.

Even with Los Blancos not being at their usual level so far this season, Tottenham will have to be at their absolute best to get a result tonight and there's unsurprisingly a lot of intrigue as to how they will set up.

Image: PA

In fact, the press in Spain are, for some reason, expecting, a pretty mental starting XI to be fielded by Mauricio Pochettino.

For starters, one outlet reckons that they will go 4-4-2, with Serge Aurier at left-back, Mousa Dembele playing on the right flank and Davinson Sanchez, the Colombian centre-back Spurs bought from Ajax in the summer, being deployed as a central midfield.

But in fairness, compared the line up a second paper has put together, that's pretty normal.

They've got it a little bit wrong...

For starters, Heung Min-Son is playing at right-back and Kieran Trippier, who is Pochettino's preferred choice there, is in at centre-back.

The midfield would normally be fine, with Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier holding and Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen taking up the more advanced, creative roles. However, Wanyama has been ruled out through injury.

But then, the utter madness returns as Harry Kane, Spurs' red-hot striker, is playing behind left-back Ben Davies, who won't be taking to the pitch tonight as he hasn't recovered from an illness which prevented him from playing against Bournemouth.

Image: PA

You can't help but applaud them for doing the most bizarre predicted XI ever.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino, Zinedine Zidane, tottenham, Champions League, Real Madrid

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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