Tottenham Hotspur’s preparations for the new season were dealt a blow after Kieran Trippier limped out of the 2-0 friendly victory over Juventus, with Mauricio Pochettino hopeful the defender will be fit for Sunday’s Premier League game at Newcastle.
Two superb goals from Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen either side of half-time secured victory over last season’s beaten Champions League finalists in an impressive performance at their temporary Wembley home yet it was the injury to the man expected to replace Kyle Walker at right-back which provided the major taking point.
Trippier, who left the stadium supported by crutches and wearing a protective boot, was withdrawn just before the break after two incidents involving the Brazil international Alex Sandro in which he damaged his ankle.
“We don’t know how serious it is yet. We will wait until Monday but the feeling at the moment is good,” Pochettino said.
“I cannot guess if he will be ready for Newcastle. We are working hard to add some players to the squad and this does not change the idea.”
With champions Chelsea the first Premier League visitors here in a fortnight, this was an opportunity for Tottenham to bed in to their new surroundings against a Juventus side who were also playing their final friendly of pre-season.
A record of just two victories in their last 10 matches at Wembley has rightly been a cause for concern among a set of supporters who saw their side drop just four league points at White Hart Lane during the whole of last season.
Yet to make a signing this summer, last week Pochettino had urged chairman Daniel Levy to bring in new players to provide quality competition for his well-established first team.
Reinforcements will certainly be needed for the challenges that lie ahead, although on this evidence Spurs already look well equipped to progress on several fronts after an accomplished display against the team who will attempt to win a seventh straight scudetto this season.
Nonetheless, Pochettino will not have appreciated the early scare when Chelsea target Sandro clattered into Trippier after only five minutes. Now confirmed as Tottenham’s first choice right-back after the sale of Walker to Manchester City, the 26-year-old hobbled off but soon returned to set up the opening goal with a delightful cross.
It capped a brilliant passing move that began with Jan Vertonghen gliding past Paulo Dybala in defence, also featured a clever backheel from Dele Alli before an inch-perfect header from Kane left the Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon helpless.
Yet the sight of Trippier being replaced by his predecessor’s near-namesake Kyle Walker-Peters following another clash with Sandro put a severe dampener on an encouraging first half for Spurs.
While the Juventus manager, Max Allegri, made four substitutions at the break, Pochettino opted against disrupting his side further. He was rewarded with a second goal after Alli’s quick feet bamboozled Claudio Marchisio and the England player slipped in Eriksen to round Buffon.
