Tottenham vs. Man City: Gil and Bissouma in, Dier out in confirmed lineup

Ange Postecoglou made adjustments to his Tottenham lineup before their match against Manchester City. Unfortunately, the team has been plagued with injuries, with 11 first team players unavailable. With Rodrigo Bentancur ruled out until February due to an ankle ligament tear, and Cristian Romero serving a three-game suspension, the team has had to make some tough changes.

The good news is that Yves Bissouma is back from suspension and will be replacing Bentancur. Despite the challenges, Postecoglou remains optimistic about how his patched-up Spurs group will fare against Villa, citing their best football of the season during the previous game.

In an unorthodox move, Postecoglou decided to put out a backline comprised entirely of full-backs, with Emerson Royal and Ben Davies playing at the center of defense. Despite the team’s setbacks, Postecoglou has resolved to stick with this quartet and will not be bringing in Eric Dier for added height. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg continues to be out with a hamstring injury, leaving Bryan Gil to make his second consecutive start along with Giovani Lo Celso in the midfield.

Dejan Kulusevski, having had a productive game against Villa in a deeper position, will continue in the midfield three. Richarlison, who recently recovered from groin surgery, will be returning to training, but will take his place on the bench for this match. Additionally, youngster Yago Santiago will be making his second appearance in a matchday squad, along with fellow academy youngsters Alfie Dorrington and Jamie Donley.

In summary, Postecoglou’s preparation for the big game against Manchester City has been challenging, but he remains hopeful in the face of adversity. With the team pulling together, they are ready to face their formidable opponents head-on.

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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.