Champions League as it happened: Tottenham win at Wembley but Leicester trounced in Porto
All the action from the Champions League, including Tottenham vs CSKA Moscow and FC Porto vs Leicester
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Your support makes all the difference.Much like Tuesday night's Champions League fixtures, there's very little up for grabs tonight with Tottenham and Leicester's European fates already decided.
For the Foxes, qualification to the last-16 was secured in their penultimate group game as they clinched a 2-1 victory over Club Brugge two weeks ago. The side's spot at the top of Group G is now guaranteed, regardless of tonight's result at the Estádio do Dragão.
It's been a very different story for Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino's men have flopped in Europe, managing just one win from five games. Their fate was eventually sealed in Monaco last month as the side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat by the French side.
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Wednesday's Champions League fixtures
Bayer Levkn vs Monaco
Tottenham vs CSKA Moscow
Legia War vs Sporting
Real Madrid vs Bor Dortmd
Club Brugge vs FC Copenhagen
FC Porto vs Leicester
Juventus vs Dinamo Zagreb
Lyon vs Sevilla
Turning attention back to Tottenham's clash at Wembley, it's clear to see that Mauricio Pochettino has now firmly fixed his sights on the Europa League after the side were dumped out of the Champions League two weeks ago.
The Argentine isn't messing about, with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen all set to feature. Indeed, Pochettino recently conceded that the easiest route back to Champions League football may be through the Europa League.
Asked whether the competition might offer a more comfortable path to the CL than the Premier League itself, the Spurs manager said: “It is true, it is a shorter way to get to the Champions League and one more possibility for us to do so.
Mauricio Pochettino speaking ahead of tonight's clash
“We need to think of it as a good opportunity to win a trophy. I don’t know why we would think about it in any other way, or in a negative way. We need to be positive.
“We feel very disappointed that we can’t go any further in the Champions League but it is another opportunity in another competition to win a trophy. Why not? We need to make the effort to beat CSKA."
I think you're wrong Reggie and Aaron. I'm putting my money on 2-1 to Spurs (cannot and will not be held liable to bets that don't come through).
So what did Ranieri have to say for himself ahead of tonight's game? Well, he's fairly confident his job is still safe and secure which, in this day and age, is a first. Although Leicester have already suffered seven defeats this campaign (they lost a total of three last season), Ranieri is unconcerned about losing his job despite the dissatisfaction of the chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
“Never, because it’s not my decision,” the Italian said. “The owner is always behind us, he always tells us how he can help us and is always positive. Of course, he’s not happy – no one at the club is.
Ranieri during Leicester's defeat by Sunderland at the weekend
“When we win, we win together. When we lose, we lose together. My experience says it’s important to stay calm and be positive, believe in your players and do the best for your team.”
On a side note, the Leicester boss conceded that he would have taken a stronger squad if they had needed victory in Portugal but is happy to hand his fringe men a chance to star.
He said: “If we had to win, maybe all my players would be here, but I can choose. Always I have said we have a very good team. There are some players who didn’t play so far – they deserve their chance to show their potential.”
Keep an eye out for 18-year-old Harvey Barnes too. The youngster has been on the Leicester books since the age of nine and has been tipped as one for the future. He's down to start on the bench but there's no reason Ranieri won't throw him into the mix should things go Leicester's way.
Stat attack!
- Tottenham have won four of their six previous matches against Russian clubs in all competitions, drawing one and losing one.
- CSKA have won only one of their six away games against English sides in the Champions League, drawing two and losing three.
- Tottenham have won one of their past eight Champions League games - at CSKA Moscow in September.
- In this season's group stages, only three of Tottenham's 58 shots have found the back of the net.
Spurs players getting into the swing of things at Wembley
A reminder that we'll be bringing you minute-by-minute coverage of Tottenham's clash at Wembley, with goal updates from FC Porto vs Leicester.
2 min: A lively start from the visitors. Schennikov, the CSKA left-back, bolts down the flank, eventually drifting inside to the Tottenham penalty area taking the ball past Rose in the process. He squares the ball in search of a team mate but Dier was on hand to boot the danger clear.
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