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Here are 5 things to watch for in the Champions League this week.

The Champions League semi-finalists will be determined this week through the four second leg ties from the last eight. This is what to look out for during the action. Match of the Week The most delicately poised quarter-final showdown will place at San Siro, where Inter host Bayern Munich, who lead 2-1 courtesy to Davide Frattesi's late victory in Germany. That ended Bayern's five-year, 22-game unbeaten streak at home in Europe, leaving them with a difficult challenge in Milan, despite winning all four of their previous road games against Inter. However, of the 23 prior occasions in this competition that the Nerazzurri have held a first leg lead, they have advanced in 21 of them, albeit one of those eliminations did come last season against Atlético de Madrid. The last six meetings between the teams have also resulted in three wins each, keeping this one very much open and all to play for. 🔎 Team to watch. How Aston Villa fans dared to dream in Paris last week when M...
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Guglielmo Vicario injury: Tottenham suffers a big setback as goalkeeper undergoes surgery.

Spurs' No. 1 underwent surgery to fix a fracture and is now expected to be out for an extended period of time.

Tottenham have suffered a severe new injury blow with the revelation that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has had surgery.

Spurs revealed on Monday evening that their highly-rated No. 1 had an operation to correct a fracture in his right ankle sustained during Saturday's spectacular 4-0 Premier League triumph over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham did not provide a timetable for Vicario's return or an estimate of how much time he will now spend on the sidelines, just stating that he will be evaluated by medical personnel in the future to determine when he may rejoin training.

With the Italian international out for the foreseeable future, deputy Fraser Forster will step up and start for Ange Postecoglou's side during a hectic fixture schedule across all competitions leading up to Christmas, supported by Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman.

"We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today (Monday 25 November) undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle," according to Tottenham's statement.

"The 28-year-old sustained the injury in Saturday's Premier League triumph against Manchester City. Guglielmo will be evaluated by our medical experts to determine when he can return to training.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham will look for a replacement goalkeeper during the January transfer window, given Vicario's likely lengthy layoff.


Spurs had already been linked with signing another goalkeeper in the New Year to provide more competition and support for the 28-year-old, who has become an invaluable member of the club since joining from Serie A side Empoli in a £17.2 million deal in the summer of 2023 on a five-year contract as the long-term replacement for former long-serving captain Hugo Lloris.

Vicario has 55 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions, including starting every Premier League game this season. He was rested for the Europa League games against Galatasaray and AZ Alkmaar, as well as the Carabao Cup third-round win against Coventry, when former England international Forster, 36, filled in.

Vicario started as usual in the historic win over City, inflicting the hosts' fifth consecutive defeat for the first time since 2006, and ended up playing the full 90 minutes despite an injury sustained in the first half, pulling off a string of fine saves to deny the likes of Erling Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan, before limping off after the game.

His absence will be felt keenly as Spurs seek much-needed consistency in their performances and results under Postecoglou, with Roma visiting north London in the Europa League on Thursday night, followed by Premier League games against Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Wolves to end 2024.

Former Celtic manager Postecoglou will also take his club to Ibrox to face Rangers in Europe in December, while Spurs will play Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as they seek their first major trophy win since 2008.

Tottenham have already suffered with a number of major injuries this season, with vital captain Heung-min Son missing several weeks.

Spurs defeated City despite missing first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, while strikers Richarlison and Wilson Odobert, as well as young wonder Mikey Moore, are currently out injured.

Vicario's departure comes only days after the Football Association (FA) issued a seven-match ban to Tottenham player Rodrigo Bentancur for provocative comments about Son, a punishment Spurs are appealing.
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