Last 16, second leg, kick-off: 19:45 (BST)
Tottenham (1) v Milan (0)
Harry Redknapp promised that his Tottenham side would not curb their attacking instincts as they defend a 1-0 lead at home against Milan in tonight’s round of 16 second leg tie at White Hart Lane.
Spurs are involved in their debut Champions League campaign and Redknapp admits he is enjoying the experience.
“It’s a fantastic competition – once you’ve played in it you want more,” he said.
“I expect a hard game and for Milan to hit us on the counterattack. They’ve got good forwards but we’re looking to take the game to them from the start. We’re not coming here to sit back on a 1-0 lead.
“My message to the players will be: ‘Let’s get after them; let’s press them back and see if we can score again because that’s our style.’ If we change our style of play then it will be difficult.”
Redknapp concedes that his commitment to attack is not solely borne out of a desire to entertain.
“We do score goals and sometimes we have difficulty stopping them,” he said. “We will pick an open, attacking team and that’s how we’ll play tomorrow – we’ll have a go. We’ll give ourselves every opportunity to attack Milan but must be aware they have got outstanding forwards as well. It’s set up to be a great game. They know they have to come here to win.”
Redknapp is confident Rafael van der Vaart and Vedran Corluka will be available, but was less optimistic about Bale, who he said was “touch and go” to start. Jermaine Jenas is available after missing the first leg through suspension.
Bale, who produced a dazzling one-man show when Spurs played Milan’s neighbours Inter in the group stages, has attracted the attention of the Serie A outfit. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged the importance to Spurs of the Welshman, but said they were more than a one-man team.
“We know Tottenham are strong and have 25 excellent players,” he said. “They’re doing very well in the Premier League.
“We all know that [Gareth] Bale is an important player for Tottenham. He has a lot of qualities, both physically and technically. He’s made a lot of progress this season. However, Bale is not Tottenham’s only important player. They have a lot of great players with attributes that are very important in the modern game, especially in midfield and attack.
“We can qualify for the next round because we have a strong team. We lost the first leg in a pretty strange game. The second leg will be completely different, though. We feel great, mentally and physically.”
Allegri is contending with a number of injuries, but said: “The only decision I have to make is over Kevin-Prince Boateng. I must decide if he plays in the centre or wide.”
Gennaro Gattuso is serving the first game of a five-match ban imposed for his bust-up in the first leg with Tottenham assistant coach Joe Jordan.
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