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| Dress rehearsal against Inter Milan. First night on Tuesday against AC Milan. |
Tottenham Hotspur made the first hugely positive steps towards the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League when they had conceded four goals and had Heurelho Gomes sent off before the first half of the match against Inter Milan was over. The side took an even bigger step towards conquering AC Milan by coming back to 4-3 against the blue and black rivals of the red and white Italians in the cauldron of the San Siro.
A great loss, as Harry Redknapp would say.
AC Milan aren’t a team easily scared, but Gareth Bale, who tore Inter Milan apart over two legs, surely strikes terror into red and black hearts – simply because he has literally been there and done that (three times). Bale won’t start against AC because of a troublesome back problem but he’s already done his bit for the team. You see, 11 players walked onto the pitch against Inter Milan at the San Siro, probably in awe, full of nerves, aware of the expectation but raring to go. 35 minutes later they were 10 broken men, wanting the ground to open up and the cameras to stop rolling. After a half time rollicking and a spectacular one-man hat trick, 10 men walked of the pitch proud, triumphant, relieved and probably thought “I wish we could do that again”. Tuesday night is their chance.
I’m sure that the players will relish going back to venue of one of their greatest comebacks, a wholly unique attempt at a “take two” in the Champions League because of the Inter / AC ground-share. I’ve had every part of my body crossed for Gareth Bale’s back but this is more for the aforementioned scare-factor he would bring and in the cold light of (to)day I’d rather start will a fully fit, back to his best, firing on all cylinders, right footed, left footed, wanting to prove a point Niko Krancjar over a struggling to be fit Bale, saving the latter for a Glory Glory night at White Hart Lane.
What miffs me slightly about accounts of our 4-3 triumphant loss against Inter Milan is the way it was described as a one man fight back. Naturally the plaudits should go to Gareth Bale for a heroic, running on empty and then some, hat trick but lets not forget the other players. There was Gomes who…. Oh. Bad place to start. Cudicini and his back four stemmed an almighty tide in the second half, letting in 0 goals as opposed to 4. Surely they deserve some mention for proving they can defend. Then there were our wingers: Bale, well we know about him, but I thought Lennon was utterly fantastic and I really feel he is key to any attacking success on Tuesday night. Whereas Bale has probably been sussed out by Europe now (and therein lies the biggest compliment), Lennon is still a shadowy enigma. We know what he can do, especially when he cuts in field as he has done recently in the premier league and when he did so against Inter to set up Bale’s third goal. Crouch still bamboozles defences, Defoe’s pace is unsettling and surely Pav is due a cracker of a game? (He seems to relish the big stage…).
No Luka Modric tomorrow?!? What?! I couldn’t care less really – he only played 8 minutes against Inter (people forget) before being sacrificed to make way for Cudicini. We’ve done it without one of our most talismanic figures before, we can do it again. If Modric is magically fit then it’s a total bonus for the team but we can handle AC without him.
I remember being deeply depressed that Rafael Van Der Vaart was suspended for the Inter Milan game (yes we did it without him too) and in any case he only played the first half of the win against White Hart Lane. So again, it’ll be a huge huge bonus if, and it seems he will, VDV starts – he will no doubt relish the biggest stage once more.
We lost brilliantly without captain fantastic Michael Dawson, remember that? Yep, he was absent through injury at the San Siro. All Spurs fans were gutted for him and at the time we no doubt argued that we played the game without Defoe (also injured at the last leg), Dawson, VDV – our best players! Well now we have them back, we have a second chance and most importantly of all – that Cauldron of a stadium holds absolutely no fear for our team.
So who starts the game? Well, based on the latest medical reports I would suggest the following:
(4-4-1-1)
Gomes
Corluka Gallas Dawson BAE
Lennon Sandro Piennar Krancjar
VDV
Crouch (if fit) or Pav
Why?
The back four writes itself and has done well recently together (assuming none of them have to change their boots or has a crazy moment (I don’t think Corluka knows what the word crazy means actually….)). Lennon starts on the right and AC will probably commit two men to contain him. Krancjar starts on the left and likes to cut inside – both him and Lennon will narrow and stretch the width of the game at will and both can swap wings with ease – confusing eh?! Well that’s the idea! Piennar is tenacious, like Wilson Palacios in his prime but with a fantastic passing vision and attacking verve. He is a disciplined player and I think he’ll need to be at his best to control the AC Milan midfield. Sandro is a player I have always liked and now he’s played a full game he goes into my team. He grew in stature against Sunderland and not only made excellent tackles and defensive blocks all over the pitch (huge work rate) but his attacking runs were also fairly fruitful, and one led to Krancjar’s winner. Sandro will need to be very disciplined as he is still inexperienced and UEFA referees are notoriously mental when it comes to ridiculous yellow cards (poor Jermaine Jenas) but I think the continental (slightly less pacy) style of football played by AC Milan will be more of what he was used to when he played in Brazil. Van Der Vaart has to start, we need someone of his guile to unlock the AC midfield and defence. If VDV starts then he will need Crouch for his knock-downs if he’s fit. If Crouch’s back isn’t up to it then Pav has a chance to shine.
Prediciton?
I don’t want to guess. A one goal deficit is realistic but perhaps a score-draw like 2-2 isn’t out of the question. All I ask is that the tie is still very much alive for a cracking return leg at White Hart Lane.
As if you needed any more to hearten you then look at this video from ITV of the Inter game. Watch the start, experience the crushing loss and then witness the (nearly) great escape:
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/championsleague/news/toptenuefachampionsleaguegames2010-2011top503284/ (select Inter v Spurs)
The game against AC Milan will be a long and very, very tough road, but its one well travelled for our team and one to look forward to, not fear. I’m sure we’ll bring our unique brand of attacking football to the table and play without fear. For all those going to the game – make some noise!
Audere est Facere – and we do like to dare!
COYS!
