Tottenham Hotspurs Outhustle AC Milan's Age And Experience At The San Siro

Milan, Italy—Harry Rednapp's side would once again return to the San Siro for the second time this season, but would be facing AC Milan this time around.

Looking at the matchup, AC Milan had the clear advantage due to playing at home and key injuries to some of the Tottenham players. Luka Modric was declared fit but did not start the match, while Rafael Van Der Vaart played through his nagging injuries.

Harry Rednapp had mentioned all week that he was not going to the San Siro to defend and he surely kept his word. Playing with the two holding midfielders, Sandro and WIlson Palacios, Milan was unable to create anything through the middle.

Making matters worse, Milan had two of the oldest members of the team matching up against Palacios and Sandro. Gattuso and Seedorf were undoubtedly good in their prime years, but one could argue that they are very much past their prime to be starting for a contending AC Milan team.

The first 45 minutes was clearly in favor to Spurs.

They were creating chances and taking the game to the also aged center backs of Milan, Nesta and Mario Yepes. Normally Thiago Silva would occupy the center back role but Massimiliano Allegri decided to play Silva in the defensive midfielder position.

In the second half Allegri brought in Pato and it was clear that his addition to the team unsettled Tottenham a bit, but not enough to make them worry. 

Milan were able to create a few opportunities but Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes was up to the challenge making a one-handed save to his right side and making a reaction save from a Mario Yepes header. 

Milan only looked to threaten on set pieces, while Tottenham was content with frustrating Milan's midfield and playing on the counter-attack.

The breakthrough came in the 78th minute when Luka Modric sent Aaron Lennon off to the races from his own half of the field. Lennon only had to beat the very slow Mario Yepes, while Peter Crouch was making sure he was wide enough to eliminate Nesta from the play.

As expected, Lennon made a simple move to his right leaving Yepes seated on the pitch as he then sent the ball across the 18 to an unmarked Crouch who knocked it into the back of the net.

Judging by the Milan players and their body language, it was evident that they were completely beaten and battered. They were unable to figure out how to beat Gomes, or at least create clear goal scoring chances.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was able to put one in the back of the net in the final minutes but he was flagged for an offside—he also pushed Michael Dawson out of the way in the same play.

Conclusion:

Tottenham was by far the better team and they were able to keep their shape and composure, something Gennaro Gattuso was unable to do. He went the whole game bullying the Spurs players around while crying and moaning on every call.

At one point Gattuso got into an argument with Spurs assistant, Joe Jordan, and with the linesman right beside him, he pushed Jordan. But Gattuso again would escape the yellow card.

Mathieu Flamini should have been sent off after a two-footed tackle that ended Vedran Corluka's match. Corluka was later seen on the Spurs bench with crutches and ice on his ankle.

At the sound of the final whistle, Gattuso once again showed his lack of class and respect and got into it again with Jordan. After an exchange of words, Gattuso proceeded to head butt Jordan and that’s when all the confusion began.

As a world football fan, one can only hope that Gattuso will get some sort of punishment.

It is one thing to play with heart and want to win, but it is another thing to disrespect your team, your fans and furthermore your country.

Man of the Match:

Peter Crouch and Gomes were both very influential for Tottenham tonight. Gomes was able to help absorb some of the pressure from AC Milan with two stellar saves, which kept the score at 0-0.

If any of those opportunities had hit the back of the net the momentum would have clearly shifted.

Although stranded alone in the front, Peter Crouch was fundamental in unsettling Nesta and Yepes. He was able to get his head onto almost every ball played into the box.

Crouch fought hard and battled for nearly every ball that was around him.

Who Will Move On?

Could Peter Crouch's goal at the San Siro have eliminated one of the greatest forces in the history of the Champions League?

Tottenham leave Milan with a crucial victory and will surely have the fans fired up at White Hart Lane for the second leg.