Tottenham Hotspur v A.C Milan – UEFA Champions League: Match Preview
After winning the first leg at San Siro by a goal to nil, Tottenham now have a massive task to undertake as they host A.C Milan at the White Hart Lane stadium on Wednesday, 9th of March 2011. Let us take a look at what strategies both the teams
can adopt for this important UEFA Champions League tie in London...
Tottenham Hotspur
After drawing against Blackpool F.C at the weekend in the English Premier League, Tottenham now must turn their attention towards UEFA Champions League’s round of sixteen matchup against A.C Milan. Carrying a fragile one goal lead over the Italian league
leaders, Harry Redknapp’s men have already made it clear that they will go all out for the win against Milan rather than playing a cagey game for a pragmatic draw. Tottenham’s main strength over the course of the 2010-2011 season has always been their ability
to find the back of the net more often than not.
Hotspur have won three of their last five competitive fixtures and in doing so, the London club have conceded eight goals, which is a concern worthy factor for Harry Redknapp. Tottenham’s defence has never been a reliable aspect of their game, and thus their
manager will surely look to address their weaknesses in the above mentioned department before their matchup against Milan.
A.C Milan
Out of their last four competitive fixtures, A.C Milan have won four and lost just one. Their one defeat came against Tottenham at San Siro in February of 2011, as Peter Crouch netted the only goal of the contest at San Siro. In their latest fixture, A.C
Milan defeated their arch rivals Juventus in the Serie A title race by a goal to nil. Before that the Rossoneri bested http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 as Allegri’s team fired three goals past a despairing
Partenopei defence.
Milan will really need to be at the top of their game if they are to turn this tie on its head at White Hart Lane. In the previous tie, Tottenham played brilliantly to deny Milan any time and space on the ball. This time around, A.C Milan will have to play
a much more patient game built on the foundations on an unbreakable defence.
Team News
Tottenham are still fretting on the fitness levels of Gareth Bale who, although played on the previous weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but only as a substitute in the latter stages of the match. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ledley-King-c21859
are all out for the encounter against Milan due to their respective injury issues.
Expected Tottenham Line up: Heurelho Gomez, Chris Hutton, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741
Milan will be without http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Filippo-Inzaghi-c13777 are
all out of the tie against Tottenham. Gattuso will miss the tie due to UEFA’s four match ban on the midfielder, whereas the rest are sidelined due to their injury troubles.
Expected A.C Milan Line up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029
Key Players
Tottenham will bank on their speedy winger, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Lennon-c3062. Hotspur’s very own speedy Gonzales is currently the highest assist contributor in the UEFA Champions League, as he has assisted a total of five goals in Hotspur’s European Cup campaign thus far. He
will be the player to watch out for on Tottenham’s side.
For Milan, all the expectations will ride upon the young shoulders of Alexandre Pato. The young Brazilian thrashed Napoli just a week ago by setting up a goal for Boateng and scoring one himself. Pato does have the ability to make the difference for Milan
but it remains to be seen how well the Brazilian will take to his regular role in the A.C Milan starting lineup.
Prediction
Tottenham will be the favourites to progress to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League but A.C Milan are expected to give their opponents a tough time in London on Wednesday night. Prediction: 2-1 to Tottenham.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer’s and do not reflect the official editorial policy of www.bettor.com
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