Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has told Borussia Dortmund they must take advantage of Tottenham’s fatigue following an intense December and January.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has constantly made the point that Dortmund, given their winter break, will be the fresher side given his squad’s taxing schedule.
The north Londoners, who beat Dortmund home and away in the Champions League group stage last season, are without Harry Kane and Dele Alli, as well as a number of other players, on Wednesday night and have struggled with injuries all season.
And Mertesacker, now head of academy at rivals Arsenal, says the lack of a break has long hampered English teams in Europe.
“I’ve personally experienced what it’s like when the most intense month is December, when your body actually has to shut down to be fit for the crucial games in April, May,” the German told Kicker.
“That’s why the English record in the last sixteen is so weak, the German clubs have to exploit that factor and keep up the pace, and they should not be intimidated.”
Premier League clubs last year voted to introduce a short winter break which will come into effect next season, opening up a week break in February.
Dortmund are also expected to miss a number of key players with Marco Reus (thigh), Julian Weigl (illness), Paco Alcacer (shoulder) and Lukasz Piszczek (foot) all missing the trip to London.
