Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan [19:45 - 09/03/2011]

Billy

#THFC
Joined
Dec 7, 2008
Messages
7,219
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Tottenham-Hotspur-256x256.png
ac-milan.png

Tottenham v AC Milan
Venue: White Hart Lane
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

One of the biggest nights in Tottenham's history lies ahead as AC Milan travel to White Hart Lane for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

Arsenal may have surrendered a winning position to bow out of Europe at the hands of tournament favourites Barcelona on Tuesday evening, but Spurs have home advantage against Milan and an away goal in the bag after winning 1-0 at the San Siro last month.

Harry Redknapp's men earned plaudits for their organised, professional approach in Italy, where Peter Crouch netted a potentially decisive late strike following a lightning break from Aaron Lennon.

Milan were not quite so disciplined, with Mathieu Flamini lucky to avoid being sent off for a wild challenge on Vedran Corluka and Gennaro Gattuso confronting assistant Tottenham coach Joe Jordan at the final whistle.

These fiery incidents have only added spice to the return leg at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, when Spurs will be looking to finish the job and progress through to the quarter-finals.

There is sure to be an electrifying atmosphere and Redknapp has vowed to stay true to his attacking instincts, which were clearly on display in the 3-3 Premier League draw against Wolves at the weekend.

Jermain Defoe scored twice and Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbed the other at Molineux, but there were again defensive concerns as Spurs shipped three goals for the second successive game.

A defeat to Blackpool in their only other outing since the first leg effectively ended Tottenham's domestic title chances, while the Wolves draw further damaged their hopes of finishing fourth and qualifying for the next edition of the Champions League.
Source: Sky Sports News

Team News

There was some good news at least from the clash with Wolves as Gareth Bale made his return from a back injury with a lively cameo as a substitute.

The Welshman has felt some stiffness in the legs over the past couple of days and is not guaranteed to start against Milan, but his presence in the squad will give the Serie A leaders plenty to ponder.

Bale produced his two most blistering performances of the season against Milan's local rivals Inter in the group phase, scoring a stunning hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat at the Giuseppe Meazza before inspiring Spurs to victory in London.

Rafael van der Vaart is also available after recovering from a calf problem and is likely to start in support of a lone striker.

Crouch could get the nod to lead the line despite the goalscoring displays of Defoe and Pavlyuchenko at the weekend, while Lennon is also likely to be recalled to the starting line-up.

Corluka has overcome the ankle injury he sustained in the challenge with Flamini and could replace Alan Hutton at right-back.

Milan news
If Corluka is selected he will once again come into direct competition with Flamini, who has hit back at Redknapp for criticism of his conduct in the first leg.

The other controversial figure from the San Siro, Gattuso, begins a five-match European suspension following his furious bust-up with Jordan.

He had already picked up a yellow card in the first leg that would have ruled him out of the trip to England, before the touchline altercation resulted in an extra four-game sentence being handed down by Uefa.

As well as Gattuso, Milan will be without the injured duo of Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini.

Massimiliano Allegri still has a formidable array of attacking talent at his disposal, including Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and former Manchester City striker Robinho.

The Rossoneri have won three matches in a row since the first leg, most recently beating Juventus 1-0 on Saturday, to tighten their grip on top spot in Italy.

Predictions for this one? I am worried, despite us being in a good position and with the boost of Bale potentially returning for this leg.

I am going to be confident and say Tottenham 2 - 1 AC Milan, but it wouldn't surprise me if we draw here or lose and take it to extra-time. That said, if it goes the distance, I fancy us to win because of Milan's tired legs and our squad fitness.
 
Milan are going to be pretty weak without Pirlo, Gattuso AND Ambrosini oO)

Still got a very good strike force though.

Hoping to go through but wont be "too" dissapointed to go out to Spurs as I like alot of their players
 
****, hope Milan can win it but with these injuries and playing away I'm not really sure.
 
I have a bad feeling about tonight. Maybe it is because we hold all the cards after the first leg and seeing at the weekend against Wolves when we were 3-2 up Harry in his naiveity failed to close up shop.
 
This should be a good game but as said already Milan are weak without players such as gattuso, although his behavious a shambles he breaks up play well and lifts the team. Think spurs will edge this one out i'll say 2-0. Personally think Crouch should start and again feed the balls onto his head as he won everything in the 1st leg in the air. Also get Lennon onto the ball and run at the defence constantly as he provided a threat and the back 4 were shaky everytime he had the ball at his feet.
 
Would obviously love Milan to upset the odds but I can't see it unfortunately. They were shocking at the San Siro and it shows how far behind Serie A actually is from the PL IMO..

Spuds will go through and all their fans will have something to gloat about over Arsenal at the end of the season when Arsenal have won the double ;)
 
So Milan are only a one man team then. If he gets injured early on it's a Spurs win.:p

Pretty much, Get Palacios to go through him for a short-cut he goes of injured and AC Milan players walk of the pitch as they know they have no chance without the great Alexandre Pato.

All jokes to the side should be a great game that I see Spurs winning simply due to Milan's injury crisis in midfield, Poor full-backs, Ibra going missing in the big Champions League games and Robinho being inconsitent as ever.
 
Spuds will go through and all their fans will have something to gloat about over Arsenal at the end of the season when Arsenal have won the double ;)

Lol was it not just over a week ago you were on about how the goons were to win the quadruple. How the mighty have fallen in the space of a few matches. ;)
 
come on milan

3-1 AC Milan

so does that mean extra time?
 
I think Milan win hmm 2-0 : Goal scorer : Zlatan / Pato :)
 
I might miss some or all of the game today :'(

I really want Spurs to win tonight, and go on and win the Champions League :D
 
I think we will just scrap through. 2-1 VDV and Lennon
 
Tottenham have the edge..but it's not very big. If Milan scores first. Then Milan got the advantage. because if they score twice..Tottenham has to score atleast twice.

But Spurs are at their home..and i dont think Milan will win against Spurs at their home.

Draw or a win for Spurs.
 
Hope and think that Spurs will go through.

Tottenham 3 - 2 Milan

Crouch, Defoe, VDV. Pato & Robinho.
 
Top