Arrigo Sacchi has urged AC Milan to not sit back against Spurs tonight and instead to be proactive in search of a second goal in the tie.
Milan secured a memorable win under the lights of San Siro as they emerged 1-0 victors in the first leg of their round of 16 clash with Spurs as the only goal of the game came inside the first ten minutes through Brahim Diaz.
In truth the Rossoneri should be taking at least a two-goal lead back to north London as Charles De Ketelaere and Malick Thiaw each missed close range headers in the second half, but they do at least have a slight advantage ahead of the return game.
Sacchi spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport published on the day of the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he had a strong message for Pioli and the team, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
“Milan have only one way to get through the round: play the match in London against Tottenham with courage and confidence in their ability. If fear takes over, if tactics take over, we’re fried,” he began.
“The approach will be fundamental and fundamental will be not thinking about the opening goal scored in the first leg at San Siro, as relying on that would be a trap from which you risk never getting out.
“In matches like these, the psychological aspect is decisive and must be treated in detail, starting with the awareness of one’s own strength. Milan don’t go to London to suffer, but to make Tottenham suffer: this it must be the beginning of every speech.
“And what is the best method to scare the opponent? Playing your own game, believing in it to the end, relying on it to overcome moments of difficulty. I have identified two words that can be the key to opening the door to glory: pressing and counterattacks.
“Pioli’s boys, to eliminate the English, need to be compact, very compact. Which means they have to stay in 25-30 metres at the most.”
