Champions League Knockout Stages

This week the champions league returns with some mouthwatering 1st round ties:

Tuesday, 15 February 2011
AC Milan v Tottenham
Valencia v Schalke
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Arsenal v Barcelona
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea
Lyon v Real Madrid
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
Marseille v Man Utd

The Arsenal defence better be on top form for the favourites.
How much will Spurs miss Bale against AC?

My bets

Tuesday, 15 February 2011
AC Milan v Tottenham 2-0
Valencia v Schalke 1-0
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Arsenal v Barcelona 1-3
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea 1-1
Lyon v Real Madrid 2-1
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich 1-1
Marseille v Man Utd 0-1

I've been looking forward to this for weeks...lets get the party started

Definitely one of the most eagerly anticipated round of matches of the season. Just occurred to me that Lyon and Madrid are meeting yet again in the last sixteen. That's a few times in recent seasons they've met at this stage of the competition. Madrid eventually have to get past the last sixteen for a change you would imagine. Man Utd and Chelsea shouldn't have problems progressing, Arsenal going no further up against Barcelona, Spurs v Milan could be a classic over two legs. Fancy Milan's greater European experience in recent times to be enough.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists his side will maintain their attacking philosophy in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 meeting with AC Milan.

Spurs qualified from the group stage as joint-top scorers but were exposed defensively on occasions.

"Attacking football is what got us here in the first place," said the Redknapp ahead of the clash at the San Siro.

"We have had a go all through this competition so we will have a right go again at San Siro."

"But as far as shutting up shop goes it's a non-starter because we don't have the players here."

Niko Kranjcar is expected to continue on the left of midfield in place of Bale, while central midfielder Modric is short of match fitness.

Peter Crouch (back) is tipped to start in attack and forward Rafael van der Vaart (calf) has also been passed fit.

"We can't come out and be completely gung-ho but what I'm saying is that I do have a problem setting a team up to defend," explained Redknapp, who is also without Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Jermain Jenas (suspension).

"Rafael van der Vaart plays the way he plays. Niko Kranjcar and [Aaron] Lennon - we haven't got defensive players to play with five across midfield and soak it up.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9397797.stm

Defensively Spurs have been caught out a few times already in this season's CL. First Young Boys Zurich were 3-0 up in the qualifying round and then Inter were 4-0 up by half time. In both cases Spurs fought back admirably but I don't envisage them getting past a side with the European pedigree of AC Milan.

Team News just in:

AC Milan

* 32 Abbiati
* 13 Nesta
* 33 Thiago Silva
* 76 Yepes
* 08 Gattuso
* 10 Seedorf
* 16 Flamini
* 20 Abate
* 77 Antonini
* 11 Ibrahimovic
* 70 Robinho

Tottenham

* 01 Gomes
* 13 Gallas
* 20 Dawson
* 22 Corluka
* 32 Assou-Ekotto
* 07 Lennon
* 11 Van der Vaart
* 12 Palacios
* 30 Sandro
* 40 Pienaar
* 15 Crouch

good lineup for spurs, shame bale is not able to play

think Spurs are going to be in for a rough night tonight

Gareth Bale will certainly be a miss for Tottenham for tonight

I also don't think crouch performs well without being spoon fed the ball, so Van Der Vaart has to show some of his magic tonight in my eyes.

AC Milans Team looks strong, could be a decent 1st round leg.

Andy