CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Milan look for Champions League solace against Spurs
Milan look to put aside their irregular Serie A form as they face a Tottenham side suffering with numerous injury concerns.
A big Champions League night awaits AC Milan at San Siro. Nine years later, Milan once again face Tottenham Hotspur in a Round of 16 clash with a well-known and respected rival in the shape of Antonio Conte on the Spurs bench.
The rossoneri have failed to advance to a Champions League quarter-final stage since 2012 and know that they are not regarded as favorites in the tie and that lack of pressure with suit Milan boss Pioli as his side currently lie fifth in the Serie A table and are cut adrift from runaway leaders Napoli.
Spurs too are somewhat erratic in the Premier League going from a high after beating Manchester City but were brought back down to earth last weekend with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Leicester. The margin of the result was the highest defeat ever suffered by Conte in his time in the Premier League. Spurs are also suffering through a series of injuries with keeper Lloris still missing. There was further bad news on Monday after initial reports confirmed that Bentancur’s season is over due to to an ACL tear. Sessegnon, Bissouma and suspended Hojbjerg will also take no part in the Milan game. The North London side will look to Kulusevski and, above all talisman Harry Kane to lead the attack and take a positive result back to London for the second leg on 8 March.
Milan boss Pioli affirmed that he was encouraged after the team’s performance as they beat Torino over the weekend and it’s expected that, once again the rossoneri will employ a three man back line. Theo Hernandez and Rodrigo Leao will look to combine with Brahim and feed Giroud in delivering the milanisti the big Champions League night they crave for.
