Spurs face tough Zagreb test in Europa League round of 16 clash

Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham hope to continue their winning momentum when Dinamo Zagreb visit for the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie.

Spurs head into the fixture against the Croatian champions full of confidence after three consecutive Premier League wins.

After netting four against Crystal Palace, Tottenham became only the second side in Europe after Bayern Munich to score 100 goals this season, the early rounds of the Europa League perhaps a help to that statistic. Nevertheless, with the attacking firepower at Mourinho’s disposal, the Lilywhites will hope for a performance similar to the first leg in Budapest against Wolfsburger.

In Dinamo Zagreb, the level of opponent has undoubtedly increased. The visitors have impressed in this season’s Europa League and are regulars in continental football unlike Spurs’ last challengers.

Zagreb topped Group K, with Tottenham’s opponents from the previous round, Wolfsberger finishing in second. They then beat Russian outfit Krasnodar 4-2 on aggregate in the last 32.

“A very good team, they defend a lot and well, they are good in counter-attack, they have technical quality, they have physicality. They are a good team, they have experience, it is not the first time they are playing in Europe.

“They play in Europe every year, they played in the Champions League recently, they have international players from different countries. It is a big step up in relation to the previous challenges we had before. The teams we have played before are in a completely different level to Dinamo. It is a difficult tie for us.” – Mourinho on Zagreb’s quality

The headline from Croatian newspaper Sportske novosti reads ‘Blues are looking for a miracle in London’. Despite their underdog status, with players of the quality of Mislav Orsic, Bruno Petkovic and Lovro Majer, Zagreb are to be underestimated at your peril.

Majer is the only Zagreb player that will miss the second leg if booked, Tottenham will be hoping Dele Alli, Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg avoid cautions.

Joe Rodon and Giovani Lo Celso are the only absentees for the home side, Welshman Rodon not part of the registered squad for the competition whilst Lo Celso continues his recovery from injury.

Full-back Sadegh Moharrami is out for Zagreb through injury, whilst midfielder Bartol Franjic is now available for selection after his suspension against Krasnodar.

Tom Hardy will be at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Spurs’ Europa League round of 16 first leg against Dinamo Zagreb.

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