Raphinha scores hat-trick in 100th appearance for Barca
Brazilian winger Raphinha celebrated his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
Tottenham Hotspur will have to make do without the services of Dele Alli, skipper Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko for their UEFA Champions League clash against Inter Milan on Tuesday night as the trio remain out of action with injuries.
“Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko remain sidelined for our UEFA Champions League Group B opener against Inter on Tuesday night,” the club stated on Monday.
Spurs got their season off to a bright start, winning their opening three games but have since then hit a bit of a rough patch.
Advertisement
After beating Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford, the Lilywhites were humbled 1-2 by Watford at Vicarage Road and then went down 0-2 to Liverpool at Wembley on the weekend.
“Moussa and Dele are missing with hamstring injuries while Hugo has a thigh problem.”
Alli suffered the injury while on international duty with England, while Frenchmen Lloris and Sissoko have been sidelined before the break began.
Lloris has been in the eye of a storm, with his drink driving case that culminated with the World Cup winner receiving a hefty fine and a 20-month ban last week.
The 31-year-old, who captained France to World Cup glory in the summer, pleaded guilty and has profusely apologised for his indiscretion but Spurs are struggling without him.
Michel Vorm has been deputising in the Frenchman’s absence, but the Dutch shot-stopper is nowhere near Lloris’ level and Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to have his captain back by the coming weekend.
Spurs travel to the Amex Stadium to play Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night (2200 GMT).
The Premier League outfit can take solace from the fact that Inter haven’t mad the best start to their Serie A season either, as the Nerazzurri are a lowly 15th after four games played.
Luciano Spalletti’s men have won just one match from four and are under pressure to register a win at the San Sir on Tuesday night.
Advertisement
