Milan vs Tottenham – Best players to look out for and predicted XI for their Champions League round of 16 clash
Milan and Tottenham face off in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday, February 14.
Antonio Conte returns to his old hunting ground, the San Siro, in the hopes of leading his team to qualify for the quarter-final.
This will be the fifth competitive meeting between AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur, with the English side unbeaten in their four head-to-head clashes with two wins and two draws.
Here are our choices of the five players who could create a major impact in this clash over two legs:
Harry Kane:
There has to be little doubt with Harry Kane being our first choice. The all-time Tottenham record goalscorer is enjoying another excellent season at the club.
Heading into the game against Leicester City in the Premier League on February 11, Kane had scored 19 goals in 30 games this season for Spurs in all competitions with just a solitary goal in the group stages of the Champions League.
The striker will look to add to his tally against Milan especially considering his movement and contribution to Tottenham’s build-up in attack. With Milan in poor form, expect Kane to fire a couple of goals in each leg of this clash.
Heung-min Son:
Son is the yin to Kane’s yang. The South Korean maestro might not be enjoying a prolific goalscoring season like he’s done in the last few seasons, but he is equally effective in Tottenham’s attacking third.
Regardless of his form, one thing is for certain, Son will prove to be key in this two legged tie against Milan.
It is expected he will face Pierre Kalulu in Milan’s right-back position and is likely to create a positive impact for Spurs. It goes without saying Son will be crucial in defining this two-legged tie against Milan to lead Spurs to the Champions League quarter-final.
Sandro Tonali:
Now that we’ve spoken about Spurs’ key players, it’s time to speak about Milan and Sandro Tonali is the first player that comes to our mind when we think of which players could create an impact against Spurs.
The defensive midfielder has been in the news off late with Real Madrid and Liverpool eyeing up a move for him.
Regardless, Tonali is a player that can dictate games at will and his passing ability is world class. If Tottenham intend to breeze through this tie against Milan, they have to ensure they minimise Tonali’s presence against them.
Simon Kjaer:
Milan need a leader if they are to win over two legs against Tottenham and there are not many in their squad as experienced and alpha as Simon Kjaer.
The Danish legend led Milan to an incredible Serie A title win in the 2021-22 season and has been ever-present in the team for important clashes.
Against Tottenham, Kjaer will face wave after wave of attack and he is expected to lead a relatively young defence against some of the most potent attackers in the world. We think, he will have a massive impact over two legs of this game.
Dejan Kulusevski:
Our final pick for this list is Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish winger who is on loan at Spurs from Juventus, has been sensational in the Premier League.
Kulusevski will face Theo Hernandez at left-back for Milan in a duel that will prove to be key in the result of this clash over two legs.
Kulusevski excels in attacking from the right side of the pitch and the way Antonio Conte uses him to displace the opponents’ left-back will have a huge impact on this game.
With excellent dribbling skills and an eye for goal, watch out for Kulusevski to enjoy a decent two legs against Milan.
Milan predicted XI: Tatarusanu, Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Rebic, Krunic, Rafael Leao; Giroud
Injured: Florenzi
Tottenham predicted XI: Forster; Emerson, Romero, Dier, Davies; Perisic, Sarr, Skipp; Kulusevski; Son, Kane
Injured: Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Lloris, Sessegnon, Bissouma
Which players from each team will miss the second leg if they get a yellow card in this game?
Milan: Ballo, Krunic, Tomori
Tottenham: Bentancur, Dier, Lenglet
Milan vs Tottenham results in their last five games in all competitions (most recent first)
Milan – L L L L D L
Tottenham – W W W L L W
