Spurs under 19’s versus Inter Milan: (match preview)

Our under 19’s kick off this seasons UEFA youth league campaign tomorrow when they face Italian giants Inter Milan on Tuesday afternoon, at the Stadio Breda. According to the UEFA website John McDermott is listed as our head coach for this seasons European campaign and McDermott will have a richly talented pool of players at his disposal for the tournament, which mirrors the UEFA champions league. Our under 18’s have started this season in scintillating form with four wins from their opening five league matches and whilst our under 23’s haven’t replicated this, they did however pick up an impressive first win of the season against Man City on Friday. Spurs gave a really good account of themselves in this competition last season in what was only their second ever involvement in it. We topped a group containing both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, before overcoming Monaco in the round of 16. Our campaign was eventually ended by Porto who beat us comfortably at Hotspur Way in March of 2018. Whilst there will be a lot of new faces in this seasons squad, Spurs will be hoping to emulate their group stage success in the competition this season. However, with the current holders of the competition Barcelona in their group, alongside both Inter Milan and PSV that task will be significantly more difficult to achieve this season. The way in which our under 18’s have started this season has been outstanding, the quality of their play and the fluidity of their passing has been breathtaking to watch. I think this set of players (the u19’s) is one of the best in the UEFA youth league this season and there will be no team in Europe who will want to come up against us, and that includes tomorrow’s opposition, Inter Milan. The abundance of talent that is in our under 19’s side is quite frightening, in many ways we are spoilt for choice. With the likes of Troy Parrott, Jamie Bowden, Paris Maghoma, Japhet Tanganga all to choose from tomorrow.

Inter Milan also had a good campaign last season, entering the competition through the domestic stage. Armando Madonna’s side reached the quarter finals of the competition where they were knocked out on penalties by Manchester City. Long famed for their academy set up, Inter Milan did well on the domestic stage last season, finishing second in the Primavera 1 (the Italian u19 league). I’m not going to lie and say that I know a great deal about their side however, I know that they are one of Italy’s top academy sides and will undoubtedly have a lot of talented players on their books. Winger Samuele Mulattieri and highly rated Irish centre half Ryan Nolan are the only two players who I know a little bit about. This competition will give our youngsters a great opportunity to test themselves against some of the finest youth teams in Europe. Coming up against different footballing cultures and enjoying exposure to much bigger audiences, I’m sure our lads are really looking forward to tomorrow’s game which is being shown live on BT sport 2. Sadly I will be unable to go tomorrow’s game however, I will be watching on with great interest and I wish all of our lads the very best of luck. Our under 19’s can go all the way in this competition this season and I say that without any hesitations.

My predicted lineup: (4-3-3) De Bie, Eyoma, Dinzeyi, Tanganga (c), Brown, Bowden, Maghoma, Roles, Markanday, Parrott, Bennett.

Subs from: Austin, Lyons-Foster, Binks, White, A.Shashoua, Patterson, Richards.

Doubtful: Oliver Skipp (Possible involvement with the first team)

Injured/unavailable: Tariq Hinds.

Previous meeting: Spurs 7-1 (2011).

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Irish centre half Ryan Nolan is a player who has been touted for great things in the game. The teenager from county Clare has won many plaudits and for him to have been picked up by Inter Milan speaks volumes in itself. Nolan made his first team debut for Inter during pre-season.

Our full squad: https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/season=2019/clubs/club=2608183/index.html