Spurs face Arsenal in the North London Derby later this month and Mourinho’s side could go into that game as the relatively fresher side.
This Premier League match is scheduled to be played on the 14th of March and just a few days before that both the North London sides are due to play in the Europa League Round of 16.
Spurs are set to play Dinamo Zagreb while Arsenal will face Olympiacos on the very same night. And for both the sides, the second leg was supposed to be their home leg.
Now, as per UEFA’s rules, two sides cannot play at home on the same night which is why they have decided to reverse Spurs’ fixtures while Arsenal’s games remain unchanged(Gunners are being given the priority since are the current domestic cup winners).
The official statement from Spurs read: “UEFA has today informed us that our Europa League round of 16 first and second leg matches against Dinamo Zagreb have been reversed.
“Both legs of the tie will continue to be staged at each club’s home stadium with the first leg now taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday 11 March (kick-off 8pm UK) and the return leg at Stadium Maksimir in Zagreb on Thursday 18 March (kick off 5.55pm UK).
“UEFA has switched our games to avoid two teams from the same city playing at home on the same evening in accordance with Article 21 of the UEFA Europa League regulations for the 2020/21 season, and the principles approved by the Club Competitions Committee.”
This is great news for Jose Mourinho since his side will play the first leg vs Dinamo Zagreb at home and will thus avoid that dreaded midweek travel to Croatia. A Thursday night match is really hectic in itself but now that they will remain in London, Mourinho will get a lot more time to prepare for the North London Derby.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will have travel to Piraeus, Greece for their first leg and just three days later they have to face Spurs.
