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

Our under 19’s will take on Inter Milan tomorrow afternoon in their penultimate UEFA youth league group game of the campaign. Matt Wells unbeaten side are within touching distance of progressing from the group stages, and a win against the winless Italian side tomorrow would all but confirm their place in the  next round of the competition. Armando Madonna’s Inter Milan side are bottom of group B with just one point to their name. However, Madonna’s side are doing a better job in their domestic league, the Primavera 1. Madonna’s side have won four of the nine games that they have played in their domestic league this season, and their last game was a dramatic 4-3 win over their bitter rivals AC Milan. Inter Milan’s chances of qualifying from the group are extremely slim and it would take a minor miracle for them to pull it off. Of all the teams that Matt Wells side have faced in group B, Inter Milan are by far the most unimpressive. Although we ended up drawing 1-1 with the Italian side in Milan in the reverse fixture, back in September, we were by far the better side that day and were it not for the unfortunate dismissal of Troy Parrott then we would have won the game. I thought that Madonna’s side were very laborious in possession and they moved the ball around very slowly, and without a lot of attacking intent. After taking the lead they parked the bus and essentially had ten players playing behind the ball at every opportunity. It was only after we got a late equaliser through Jack Roles that they started to attack and come at us again. Taking an early lead tomorrow will prove vitally important for Spurs as it will force the Inter Milan defence to open up. Whilst Madonna’s side have a strong defence which includes tenacious Irish centre half Ryan Nolan, they also have some good attacking players and we saw glimpses of that in the reverse fixture. Pacy and skilful winger Eddy Salcedo Mora will cause problems down the channels, and clinical 18 year old centre forward Andrea Adorante who has scored six goals in the Primavera this season is a player that the Spurs defence will have to pay close attention to.

Matt Wells side have performed very well in this competition this season despite the fact that they have only won one group game. Spurs will be without Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and J’Neil Bennett for tomorrow’s game however, we have a squad with a lot of depth and other players can easily slot into the side. Tomorrow’s game which is being shown live on BT Sport is another big game for Matt Wells high flying side. And I am feeling extremely confident that they can overcome the Italian side in typically dominant fashion by playing their usual passing game. I shall be at Hotspur Way covering tomorrow’s game and my match report will be out the following day. I will be in attendance with former Spurs player Eddie Clayton, hopefully he’ll get to see another Spurs win!

My predicted lineup: (4-3-3) Austin (c), Eyoma, Walcott, Binks, Brown, Maghoma, Bowden, White, Markanday, Parrott, Roles.

Subs from: Oluwayemi, Cirkin, Okedina, Oakley-Boothe, A.Shashoua, Cooper, Clarke.

Injured/unavailable: Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Jonathan Dinzeyi, J’Neil Bennett.

Doubtful: Phoenix Patterson, Oliver Skipp. 

Previous meeting: 1-1

My score prediction: Spurs 4-0.

My one to watch: Eddy Salcedo Mora. The skilful 17 year old Italian has been in excellent form for Inter Milan’s under 19’s in their domestic league this season,  and he has found the back of the net on 8 occasions this campaign.