I think it will be tough for Grandpa's Red & Black Army. Spurs have youth on their side, pace, creativity, all the same ingredients that led Man Utd to humiliate Milan. I just can't imagine a scenario where the Milan team can get at Tottenham and put them under intense pressure. Unfortunately, I really do believe Tottenham will cruise into the quarterfinals probably with a 3 goal aggregate victory.
Milan are definitely moving in the right direction. But too many important players are either injured, suspended or ineligible to play in the Champions League. I would definitely advise Allegri to focus on Serie A and forget the European Cup this year. I'm sure you fans are desperate to win the domestic title again after watching your hated rivals run away with it for the past few seasons.
Next season I am sure Milan will be a serious force in this competition again. You can't keep a great club like Milan down forever. Everything is starting to move in the right direction with the management team targeting younger players now.
Buona fortuna.
no. Leonardo humiliated Milan, not Man utd.
Man Utd probably would have beat Milan regardless, but the 7-2 margin was ALLLLLL Leonardo.
-Favalli at LB with no tactical adjustment (read: Valencia owning him in miles of space)
-Subbing Bonera out and putting Ambrosini at CB
-Not starting Seedorf (who'd been in form) in favor of beckham at CAM?
The list goes on.
As for you can't see Milan putting Tottenham under intense pressure?
You were under it for 45 minutes last game. It left Milan exposed in the back, and you exposed it with Lennon, which was inevitable.
The injury crisis has me worried, I don't feel confident like I would with sa healthy roster. But I feel comfortable Allegri will come up with best possible plan. I didn't think he made mistakes first leg, he just got let down by the attack. If half the team played with Gattuso's intensity/hunger it'd be different.
If Milan fail to score again, even with a terrible midfield, I'll be disappointed beyond belief with Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Pato (whatever combo plays the game).
Being only a 1 goal game, Milan has no incentive to go for kill off the bat and exposing itself to your counter, which would be only way I'd see Tottenham getting a 2+ goal margin early.
Whether Milan win or lose the tie though, the right move is for Allegri to keep it conservative and thoughtful and pick his spots, as Milan simply have too many liabilities in midfield/defense to not.
(needed a bitch slap there)
