Spurs to attack AC Milan in Champions League second leg
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
LONDON, Mar 8 (AP): Tottenham will maintain the attacking principles that have helped the team sweep impressively through to the brink of the Champions League quarterfinals when it hosts AC Milan in the last-16 second leg Wednesday.
Spurs hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg at San Siro and with most of their leading players back to full fitness, they will fancy their chances of seeing off the seven-time European champions and current Italian league leaders.
"I think we've got enough to hurt Milan at home. We'll be positive. We will play an attacking team," said Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, whose side's ambitious style has impressed neutrals in its first season in Europe's elite club competition.
Milan's hopes of turning the two-legged series around won't be helped by the loss of three key midfielders-Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini (both injured) and Gennaro Gattuso (suspended).
The Serie A team is not only fighting to stay in the competition. It is also looking to show that Italian football is back to its best, having struggled in Europe for several years before Inter Milan's Champions League success last season.
"We can do it because we're a strong team and we're in good shape, physically and mentally," Milan coach Massimo Allegri said. "The first leg was a strange game. We know that Tottenham is a strong team and we can't commit the errors made at the San Siro."
Milan is five points ahead in its domestic league but looked ponderous against Tottenham on Feb. 15, with the English side's pace and slick passing proving too much for the hosts.
On that occasion, Spurs didn't even have their star winger Gareth Bale playing. But the Wales international, who has been one of the competition's most impressive performers this season, should start after making his return at the weekend from six weeks out with a back injury.
With Aaron Lennon, another pacy wideman, also set to start and playmaker Rafael van der Vaart expected to prove his fitness ahead of the match, Redknapp will look to blow Milan away with his team's traditional high-tempo game.