AC Milan welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the San Siro in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2022-23 UEFA Champions League.
AC Milan qualified for this stage as runners-up in Group E behind Tottenham’s London rivals, Chelsea, whilst Spurs topped a tight Group D to earn their spot in this tie.
Team News
Fikayo Tomori is set to return for AC Milan after recovering from a hip injury.
Ismael Bennacer (muscle) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (knee) could also feature if declared match-fit but Mike Maignan (calf) remains absent.
Tottenham will be without Rodrigo Bentancur for rest of season, after the midfielder ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his left knee during Saturday’s league defeat at Leicester.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is suspended for this leg after he picked up three yellow cards in the group stage.
Cristian Romero returns from suspension but Hugo Lloris (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Yves Bissouma (ankle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
AC Milan host Tottenham at the San Siro on Tuesday 14 February at 9pm CET (8pm GMT), live on BT Sport in UK.
Stat Attack
- AC Milan are yet to beat Tottenham following four previous meetings in all UEFA competitions (D2, L2).
- Tottenham are yet to lose to AC Milan at the San Siro (W1, D1).
- AC Milan lost their only previous meeting against Spurs during the month of February, losing 1-0 at home in February 2011 at this very same stage of the competition which ultimately eliminated them.
- Milan have won just one of their last five home matches against English opposition (W1, L4).
- Spurs have won just one of their last eight away matches against Italian opposition (W1, D3, L4).
Prediction
With just two wins in nine matches across all competitions since returning from the World Cup break, AC Milan’s defence certainly is vulnerable coming into this match but they can take heart from a clinical win over Torino at the weekend despite lacking possession.
Tottenham though have a headache because after taking a well-fought lead at Leicester, their defence just imploded as the Foxes upped their intensity with plenty of awful marking press to close down gaps at the back.
Bentancur, Bissouma and Hojbjerg’s absences in midfield meanwhile leaves Spurs with a tactical issue in central midfield, with only Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr available for selection in those positions but Spurs do have to improve across the pitch.
Their poor away form against Italian opposition also is a worry but with Milan in worse form, this is a chance which they’ve to somehow take by hook or crook.
Prediction: AC Milan 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
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