Tottenham is on the brink of history as they stand a chance to lift their first UEFA Champions League trophy if they beat familiar rivals Liverpool on Sunday. Jan Vertonghen will be one of those players on whom Mauricio Pochettino will be banking his hopes.
The Dutch defender along with Toby Alderweireld at the back will have a monumental task of containing Liverpool’s fiery trident of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah and the duo must put their best foot forward in Madrid.
Vertonghen has made nine appearances in this edition of Champions League and has also found the net once, against Borussia Dortmund. He also provided an assist in the same game to Son Heung-min and was adjudged as the man of the match.
His aerial prowess can work wonders during set-pieces and Christian Eriksen will definitely look for his head while delivering the crosses from dead ball situations.
During the semi-final against Ajax in the first-leg, he suffered a nose injury after a collision with defensive partner Alderweireld. Although he returned to action after receiving treatment, he could not continue and was eventually substituted.
In the return leg at Amsterdam, he was seen wearing a protective mask and featured for the full 90 minutes. But during that game, he suffered an ankle injury and had to leave the stadium on crutches and protective boots. He was even excluded from the final matchday squad of Spur’s Premier League game against Everton.
But Vertonghen has assured that he is fit to play in Madrid as he has recovered well within time. Certainly, Spurs will want his assured presence at the back.
Here’s how to watch the UEFA Champions League final LIVE from SouthEast Asia
Be the first to comment