Given the job that he has done at Tottenham, it’s arguably difficult to really question Mauricio Pochettino’s decisions with any real conviction.
Spurs have made real progress over the last two years, and they will aim to continue that progression this season by competing for major trophies.
They sit in third place in the Premier League, just five points adrift of leaders Manchester City who look in ominous form, while they’ve collected six points from their opening two Champions League outings.
However, now comes the crunch clash with Real Madrid, with a trip to the Bernabeu on the agenda first in back-to-back meetings with the Spanish giants.
According to The Times, Pochettino isn’t going to be cautious as not only will he deploy a 3-4-3 formation against the reigning Spanish and European champions, but he intends on attacking Real and not moving away from the high press that his side adopt.
Some Tottenham supporters may have reservations about that, as at this level, any little mistake or misjudgment will be pounced upon and they’ll get punished, and so they could be forgiven for being a little more cautious in such a big game away from home.
However, they have to be applauded if that is indeed the approach they take. It’s difficult at the best of times to come away with anything from the Bernabeu, and so why not go there and attack and put the pressure on Zinedine Zidane’s men to cope with their strengths.
It could backfire if Madrid are in top form and ruthless in front of goal, but for the neutral it promises to be a brilliant spectacle between two top teams with Harry Kane in fine form and undoubtedly keen to deliver in a huge game for his side.