AC Milan need the best version of all their players if they are to get the desired result against Spurs and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how Milan cannot approach tonight’s game thinking that they can defend the one-goal lead that they secured in the first leg as they will face a different Spurs team even more fired-up after back-to-back defeats against Sheffield United and Wolves.
After 25 games last season Milan had already won nine away games and had lost only one but this season they have won five and lost four, so the reaction of the young defenders will be fundamental.
Malick Thiaw must try to keep tabs on Harry Kane and stop him from influencing the game and scoring a goal in the same way Jovic did on Saturday, while Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori must manage the movements of Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski.
Even more decisive will be the battle of the midfield where Spurs will get Hojbjerg back compared to the first leg and Krunic is back from serving a suspension against La Viola for Milan. The Bosnian started in each of the four clean sheets the Rossoneri racked up and that is why he could start again alongside Sandro Tonali, with Oliver Skipp expected to partner Hojbjerg.
Where will the goals come from? It feels like Rafael Leao has a big say in whether Milan can get on the scoresheet. A long ball from Maignan or a moment of madness from Romero may be enough. Meanwhile Giroud knows the opponent well and could pounce on the fact Dier is out with Lenglet expected to anchor the defence.
They would be writing different if Charles and Thiaw scored both header and result 3 0. That is the price paid with youngsters just started professional football…