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Redknapp relishing Spurs' shot at redemption

Harry Redknapp expects Tottenham Hotspur FC to complete their fightback by overturning a 3-2 deficit against BSC Young Boys, but Vladimir Petković insists the visitors can upset the odds.

Harry Redknapp and Vladimir Petković are both hoping to lead their sides to the group stage for the first time in their history
Harry Redknapp and Vladimir Petković are both hoping to lead their sides to the group stage for the first time in their history ©Getty Images

Harry Redknapp is expecting his Tottenham Hotspur FC side to seize their second chance and turn the tables on BSC Young Boys when they meet in their UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

Spurs were overrun in the opening half-hour of the first leg in Berne, plunging 3-0 behind and seemingly out of contention for a group-stage berth before goals from Sébastien Bassong and Roman Pavlyuchenko restricted the damage. Redknapp believes his charges' courageous response when capitulation was a distinct possibility has re-ignited their hopes of progressing.

"It will be a difficult game but we've given ourselves a great chance with the two goals – they kept us in the tie," said the Tottenham manager, who will be without the injured Luka Modrić for the return. "At 3-0 it looked like it was good night. They were very good in the first 30 minutes and you could see 4-0, 5-0, 6-0 coming. We did well to get a goal back before half-time – that gave us a big lift. In the second half we had much more control. But they are dangerous on the break – they went to Fenerbahçe and won 1-0 so they are dangerous opposition."

Redknapp is convinced Tottenham will complete the aggregate turnaround but insists forcing the visitors to taste their own medicine from the first encounter is imperative. "It's important we get after them early and set them back – we've got to swarm all over them from the start," he added. "We have to start with intensity, close them down and put them under real pressure. We have players who can cut open any defence and I think we'll win tomorrow – but it won't be easy. If we play as we can, we can beat anyone at White Hart Lane."

Vladimir Petković is expecting nothing less than an early onslaught from the London club but the Young Boys coach is adamant they can hold firm and cause just as many problems for the Tottenham rearguard. "We know what is coming," said the 47-year-old, who is still shorn of injured pair Emiliano Dudar and Hassan Lingani. "Spurs will go full throttle from the start and try to score the first goal, but we know how to defend and will try to attack ourselves. We are capable of doing that as seen a week ago. It would be a bad idea only to defend the result from the first match."

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