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Spurs record in Europe:-
U.E.F.A Champions League
P W D L F - A
4 2 1 1 12 - 6
European Cup
P W D L F - A
8 4 1 3 21 - 13
(Semi-Finalists 1962)
European Cup Winners Cup
P W D L F - A
33 20 5 8 65 - 34
(Winners 1963)
UEFA Cup
P W D L F - A
85 51 20 15 182-71
(Winners 1972, 1984
Finalists 1974)
Total
P W D L F - A
130 77 27 26 278-121
Champions League Group A
P W D L F-A GD PTS
1.Inter Milan 2 1 1 0 6-2 4 4
2.Spurs 2 1 1 0 6-3 3 4
3.Fc Twente 2 0 1 1 3-6 -3 1
4.SV Werder Bremen 2 0 1 1 2-6 -4 1
The big one!
Well, here it is! It's a difficult game for sure, but a trip to one of the most famous stadia in Europe - The San Siro - is just what Spurs fans have been waiting for since their qualification for the Champions League proper. However, most Spurs fans present will be located so high in the stadium (even higher than the Newcastle away stand I understand) that they might need binoculars to see the action in as much detail as those who will have the luxury of their armchair or a cosy corner of their local pub.
Spurs might draw a little comfort from the report that Argentinean Internationals Cambiasso and Milito have returned injured from their friendly against Japan, but of course the "Spanish Waiter" - Rafa Benitez - has plenty more in the locker in this squad of the current Champions of Europe.
Inter have all the pedigree in the world of course, being the reigning Champions of Europe (under Jose Mourinho's guidance) and having won the Italian League title for the fifth successive year matching the Italian all-time record. Benitez has plenty of points to prove for himself of course, since leaving Liverpool, and needing to maintain the such high standards set by "The Special One".
Benitez has not had things all his own way so far, suffering something of a shock in the first game of this Group A phase, when FC Twente recovered from Wesley Sneijder's 13th minute goal to take a lead through Kanssen and a Milito own goal, before Samuel Eto'o levelled the scores before half-time. In the second game, while we were putting paid to Twente, Inter beat Bremen 4-0 with that man Eto'o scoring a hat-trick. Eto'o is the obvious one to watch, having scored no less than 16 goals in 14 games for club and country so far this season. Perhaps his fellow Cameroon Internationals, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong can offer some crucial tips to combat the prolific striker who has scored 17 goals in 38 league games for Inter, and managed no less than 109 goals in just 144 leaue games with Barcelona. Eto'o scored most recently in last week-end's game at Cagliari, where he gave the perfect riposte to early racist abuse by the home fans. Maybe the reason the Inter authorities do not want to see the Star of David in their stadium is for fear of racist taunts by their own fans against Spurs.
Inter lost "bad boy" Balotelli to Man City of course, but the squad includes Brazil's number one keeper Julio Cesar, Rumanian defender Cristian Chivu, Brazilian World Cup stars Maicon and Lucio, Sneijder of course in midfield, and a few other household names.
Spurs have never played Inter in a competitive game, but did play them in a pre-season friendly on July 30th 2006 when we won 2-1. Both sides were missing some top names, primarily those who had taken part in the 2006 World Cup. Teemu Tainio scored both Spurs goals, whilst Obafemi Martins scored the visitors' goal. Martins didn't impress me that day, but was soon to be signed by Newcastle. He has since moved on to Wolfsburg, then Rubin, in Russia.
Spurs have played in the San Siro before though, although it was against AC Milan in the 1972 UEFA Cup semi-final. Steve Perryman had scored both goals to give us a famous home win in the first leg, and we held on to a draw in the away game, giving us a path to the Final against Wolves. Carlo Cudicini's father played in goal for A.C Milan's team against us!
Robbie Keane's brief sojurn in a foreign side came with Inter in the 2000-01 season, but he played just 4 full league games for them, and two as substitute. Robbie did score in the Super Cup for Inter though, when they lost 4-3 to Lazio. Robbie was signed by the current Italian manager Marcello Lippi, whose predecessor was Roy Hodgson in one of his two spells as manager. Roberto Mancini was manager before Jose Mourinho. Rafa Benitez had better look out, as for one reason or another Inter are one of those teams where the manager does not last long!
The team news is not good for Spurs, with Ledley King definitely out and Younes Kaboul facing a late test. Gallas is fit though, and Bassong is likely to start this one. Rafael van der Vaart is of course suspended, and Sandro is ineligible, as he was not entered on the required list by Spurs by the UEFA deadline. Perhaps Luka Modric will play the Van der Vaart role behind Crouch, leaving wither Jenas or Palacios to partner Huddlestone in the midfield. We all know a draw would be a really great result. Let's hope we get one!
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