AC Milan Vs. Tottenham Hotspur FC: Champions League Preview

MILAN-- Champion League action finally returns when Tottenham will make a trip to the San Siro this Tuesday to face the Italian giant AC Milan in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 bout. 

The Spurs came out of Group A finishing atop the standings with three victories, two draws, and one loss, putting them ahead of Milan's arch rivals Inter by just a mere point. AC Milan on the other hand stumbled out of Group G finishing second to Real Madrid, with two wins, two draws, and two losses. 

Domestically, the Rossoneri are in first place in Serie A, while Tottenham are respectively in fourth place trailing by ten points to the leaders Manchester United. 

Although it was expected that winger Gareth Bale would be fit for the trip to the San Siro, the Spurs have left him out of the lineup due to a back injury. It seems he will be replaced by the 26-year-old Croatian Niko Kranjcar who has scored two game-winning goals in his previous two games. 

Injuries have plagued the selection process for Tottenham top-gun Harry Redknapp. Tom Huddlestone, Younes Kaboul, and Ledley King are all out due to injury, while Jermaine Jenas is out due to suspension. Peter Crouch and Rafael van der Vaart will return to the line-up after missing the weekend's game versus Sunderland. As for Luka Modric, he will be a game time decision to prove he's football ready after have a recent appendix surgery and only returning to the practice field this past Sunday. 

As for Milan, they will be missing their January purchases Antonio Cassano, Mark van Bommel, and Urby Emanuelson due to ineligibility.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will also be without skipper Massimo Ambrosini, Andrea Pirlo, and former Tottenham Hotspur Kevin-Prince Boateng.

It will be a challenge for Tottenham to find success against the experienced back line of Milan's squad without the likings of speedster Gareth Bale. At times it seemed this season Tottenham's play can contend with any team in Europe but due to bad timings injures seem to be a deciding factor on both ends of the pitch. 

Returning for Milan are Alessandro Nesta, Nicola Legrottaglie, Ignazio Abate, and Luca Antonini who have all recovered from minor injuries. 

Can the injury ridden Hotspur pull an upset in Italy or will the attacking trio, Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Robinho have the final word?

DATE/TIME: February 15, 2011, 2:45 pm

Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (Milan)