Tottenham's hopes of hosting Champions League last-16 tie at new stadium hit by Uefa scheduling

Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to play the Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund inside their new stadium has been hit by Uefa’s decision to schedule their game in the first week of February fixtures.

While clubs cannot request specific dates, Spurs had made it known that they would prefer to play their last-16 home tie in the second round of matches on February 19 and 20 to give them a better chance of hosting it in their new stadium.

But Uefa did not make any concessions for Tottenham’s preference and confirmed the home tie against Dortmund will take place on Wednesday February 13, with the venue yet to be decided.

Spurs have been in discussions with Uefa since drawing with Barcelona to qualify for the knockout stages and Europe’s governing body last week revealed an announcement would be made before February.

Chairman Daniel Levy confirmed there will be a further stadium update in the week beginning January 7 and it is thought a decision on Tottenham’s Champions League venue for the Dortmund tie will be made around that time.

Despite hosting a fan familiarisation event on Sunday, Tottenham face a race to make sure they are in a position to offer Uefa the guarantees they would need to commit to hosting the Dortmund game at their new stadium.

Spurs have already confirmed that the home game against Manchester United on January 13 will take place at Wembley, with even the most optimistic predictions currently highlighting the Newcastle game on February 2 as the earliest Tottenham could be in their new home.

Gloomier forecasters still think that it could be March until Tottenham make their move, but it seems the next announcement in the second week of January will prove to be decisive.

This will be the third time in four years that Tottenham will have play against Bundesliga leaders Dortmund and Harry Kane believes that experience could be vital.

Spurs were knocked out of the Europa League by the German club in 2016 before completing a Champions League double over them in last season’s group stages.

Kane said: “Borussia Dortmund are a top side, great stadium, great support. It’s going to be tough. They are doing well this season in the Bundesliga and they look in top form. So it’s tough, but we know we’re capable of beating them as well.

“We’ve had some good results in the Champions League especially away from home when you look at the likes of Real Madrid (1-1), Dortmund (2-1) and Juventus (2-2) last season and now Barcelona (1-1) this season. It’s good we’ve got that experience, we’ve been there and know how to get it done and now we need to use that again.

“This is what we work hard for, to get through the group and into the knockout stage. We had one point after three games, but dug deep to get through. Now it’s up to us to put in the performances home and away to try to progress further.”

Liverpool and Manchester City also face trips to Germany after drawing Bayern Munich and Schalke, respectively.

Bayern have been suffering a difficult season and are nine points behind Dortmund in the Bundesliga table, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer believes Liverpool have weaknesses that the Germans can expose.

“They’re having a very good season and we know they were in the Champions League final last year,” said Neuer.

“They certainly won’t be delighted with the draw, either. They can counter quickly and they’re dangerous in front of goal, but they’re also vulnerable, as we’ve seen, and they’ll be up against a good Bayern attack.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Difficult. Good draw. It was clear it would be difficult [and] they are obviously a top side. For me it’s nice, going to Germany. But it’s just the draw. So we have now time to prepare the game, a lot of time obviously, and hopefully we have all our players available then. It will be a tough one, an interesting one, and I am looking forward to it.”

On City’s draw with Schalke, who are 13th in the Bundesliga, football director Txiki Begiristain said: “German clubs are very strong, with that box-to-box game – we will have to be very strong in the boxes because if we run they are going to win.

“So we have to try to have the ball, keep control of the game, the rhythm of the game. We have to avoid running from box to box because at that, they are the best.

“It’s getting hard this competition, you can see all the big draws and big games. Of course they (Schalke) are struggling a little bit in the league but that’s also because they have done very well in the Champions League.

“It means that after two months, with the winter break, German clubs are always very dangerous.”