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Tottenham not sitting back for Milan decider

Harry Redknapp promised another "open, attacking" Tottenham Hotspur FC performance against AC Milan, whose coach Massimiliano Allegri is sure a 1-0 deficit can be overcome.

Tottenham not sitting back for Milan decider
Tottenham not sitting back for Milan decider ©UEFA.com

Harry Redknapp promised that his Tottenham Hotspur FC side would not curb their attacking instincts as they defend a 1-0 lead at home against AC Milan, with the visitors eager to redress the balance in London and claim their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Harry Redknapp, Tottenham manager
It's a fantastic competition – once you've played in it you want more. I expect a hard game and for Milan to hit us on the counterattack. They've got good forwards but we're looking to take the game to them from the start. We're not coming here to sit back on a 1-0 lead. My message to the players will be: 'Let's get after them; let's press them back and see if we can score again because that's our style.' If we change our style of play then it will be difficult.

We do score goals and sometimes we have difficulty stopping them. We will pick an open, attacking team and that's how we'll play tomorrow – we'll have a go. We'll give ourselves every opportunity to attack Milan but must be aware they have got outstanding forwards as well. It's set up to be a great game. They know they have to come here to win.

Massimiliano Allegri, Milan coach
We know Tottenham are strong and have 25 excellent players. They're doing very well in the Premier League. We all know that [Gareth] Bale is an important player for Tottenham. He has a lot of qualities, both physically and technically. He's made a lot of progress this season. However, Bale is not Tottenham's only important player. They have a lot of great players with attributes that are very important in the modern game, especially in midfield and attack.

We can qualify for the next round because we have a strong team. We lost the first leg in a pretty strange game. The second leg will be completely different, though. We feel great, mentally and physically.

Team news
Tottenham
Redknapp said Rafael van der Vaart (calf) and Vedran Ćorluka (ankle) would be available, but was less optimistic about Bale (back). Jermaine Jenas is available after missing the first leg through suspension.

Milan
Allegri is dealing with a raft of injuries, but said: "The only decision I have to make is over Kevin-Prince Boateng. I must decide if he plays in the centre or wide." Gennaro Gattuso is serving the first term of a five-match ban. Luca Antonini, Boateng, Mathieu Flamini and Gianluca Zambrotta are within one booking of a ban.

Latest results
Sunday: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 3-3 Tottenham
(Doyle 20 40pen, Fletcher 87; Defoe 30 35, Pavlyuchenko 48)
Steven Fletcher's late goal at Molineux denied Tottenham their seventh away league victory of the campaign. Only Arsenal FC (with seven) have managed more away wins in the English top flight this season.

Saturday: Juventus 0-1 Milan
(Gattuso 68)
Milan have won three out of three since the first leg, with Pato scoring in the final stages against AC Chievo Verona (2-1) and SSC Napoli (3-0) before Saturday's trip to Turin.

Did you know?
Tottenham are looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since their only previous European Champion Clubs' Cup appearance in 1961/62. Milan have not been to the last eight since winning the trophy in 2007, and are trying to avoid round of 16 elimination by English opposition for the third time in four seasons after losses to Manchester United FC last term and Arsenal in 2008.

See the match background for more information.

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