Jose Mourinho rules out Erik Lamela and Eric Dier for Maccabi Haifa game
Speaking after their victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup (h/t Football.london), Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho confirmed that he will not be using Eric Dier and Erik Lamela for the club’s UEFA Europa League playoff fixture against Maccabi Haifa.
The fixture schedule has been anything but kind for Spurs. Jose Mourinho’s men are penned to play four times in eight days, starting with the last weekend’s fixture against Newcastle United. This was followed by a hard-fought penalty shootout win against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
Up next for Mourinho & co. is a crunch European clash against Maccabi Haifa as they vie for a place in the group stages of the Europa League. Following that fixture on Thursday night, Spurs will face Manchester United in the Premier League in a key fixture.
Given the packed schedule and the importance of each fixture, Mourinho is under a lot of pressure with regards to his team selection. However, the manager has confirmed that he will not be calling upon Lamela and Dier for Thursday’s clash. (h/t Football.london)
The duo were exceptional on Tuesday night, with Dier putting in a masterful display at the back, while Lamela scored the all-important equaliser and converted his spot-kick. But, the manager is set to rest the duo, following their exertions against Chelsea. (h/t Football.london)
“Coco (Erik Lamela) was amazing. I can not play him Thursday. What Eric Dier did is not human but I needed that. Of course he cannot play Thursday and this is the way we are organising very important matches.”
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Mourinho also confirmed that Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale will also be unavailable for selection for Thursday. However, the manager did hint that the South Korean could be back in time for the United game.
