Champions League: AC Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview - Part 1
The Daviolo played second fiddle to Real Madrid in a group that also included Ajax FC and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233. Spurs
were expected to struggle against the Nerazzurri but the Premier League outfit proved their credentials by topping the group.
AC Milan welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stadio San Siro in what promises to be a nail biting Champions League last 16 clash.
Unfortunately for the fans of the beautiful game, a host of key players will miss this encounter. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422 – the undoubted star of
the group stages - and Luca Modric will all miss the game.
However, the two teams will still field a host of star players. With a never-ending list of world class talent set to grace the San Siro Stadium, there will be some mouth-watering battles on the pitch.
Bettor.com now identifies the key encounters that will take place on the pitch.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wilson-Palacios-c36948 vs. Robinho
AC Milan have been criticised for being too static in recent seasons. However, with Robinho's arrival at the club, the scenario has changed. Prior to his acquisition, Robinho was ill-known for his lack of work ethic, but all that has changed at the San Siro.
Robinho is the most willing runner in the current AC Milan squad, covering every blade of grass as he looks to open up space for his team-mates. The 27-year-old is likely to play the trequartista role in Massimiliano Allegri’s 4-3-1-2 formation. Should Robinho
manage to replicate his blinding Serie A form, AC Milan are more than likely to bag the game. The man responsible for marking the mercurial Brazilian will be Wilson Palacios.
The 24-year-old will have to cut short his forays forward and chase Robinho like a shadow. Palacios is arguably better suited to the marking role than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tom-Huddlestone-c35227. However, Palacios will have to be careful with his tackling, as the
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Honduras-c2918 international will not get away with his Premier League style tackles in European football. Palacios’ task in this game will be simple; win possession for his more illustrious team-mates to do the damage.
Rafael van der Vaart vs. Gennaro Gattuso
Harry Redknapp is likely to deploy a 4-4-1-1 formation that will see Rafael van der Vaart play just behind the lone striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741. Ever since his arrival from Real Madrid, the Dutch playmaker has been a revelation in the Barclays Premier League.
Van der Vaart’s passing and vision are second to none – this especially holds true in Pirlo’s absence – as the Dutch Maestro will look to carve open the Rossoneri back line with some precision passing. In 32 appearances this season, Van der Vaart has scored
13 goals while directly assisting in 15 others. Such statistics mean the 28-year-old be the key man for Spurs.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gennaro-Gattuso-c14525 will have to roll back his years in order to keep the playmaker in check. In his prime, there was none better than Gattuso when it came to ball winning. However, with advancing years, Ringhinho has lost much of his pace. The Rossoneri number
8 will have to be on top of his game if AC Milan are to come out victorious.
Tags: