Champions League: Conte Returns to Milan

AC Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur

The Italian stallion Antonio Conte is going back home on Tuesday for a Champions League clash with some old Serie A ‘friends’ as Tottenham take on AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium.

The last time Conte prowled the touchline in this stadium he was leading Inter Milan to the 2021 Scudetto and he is highly unlikely to get a warm welcome from the Rossoneri fans! Stefano Pioli’s Milan ended a run of four consecutive defeats with a 1-0 victory over Torino, so the stadium will be packed to the rafters with fans baying for another win.

Meanwhile, Spurs were thumped 4-1 by Leicester City on Saturday, a result which left them outside the Premier League top four and Conte will expect a reaction. Tottenham are SBOTOP’s eighth favourites to win the tournament at odds of 18.00 with AC Milan 11^th at 55.00 and that makes this the tightest tie of the Round of 16… and I’m expecting an Italian classic.

Talking Points

Giroud lifts Milan

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been Milan’s most productive player with four goals so far in the competition and he has also made two assists; and he scored the goal to earn Milan a much-needed win over Torino. His trademark glancing header from a Theo Hernandez’ cross ended a seven match winless run and, while Milan were never fully in control of the game, they could have doubled their lead when Rafael Leao teed up Hernandez but he dragged his shot wide.

Leao is having another strong campaign, as he did last year when he became one of the hottest properties in European football, and he’s sure to provide some Champions League 2023 highlights on Tuesday night. He’s scored eight goals and made five assists in his 21 games in the league and he’s ready to give the Spurs defence a torrid time.     

Milan’s hopes of retaining the Scudetto have all but disappeared. They are in fifth place, 15 points behind leaders Napoli but on the same points as Atalanta in third. They have important business to complete in the domestic game, but I Rossoneri love a European game and they will be right up for this one.

Which Spurs will turn up in Milan?   

After beating Manchester City last week, a 4-1 spanking at the hands of Leicester City was not exactly what Spurs fans expected. And after the game assistant boss Cristian Stellini apologised for his players’ limp performance against the Foxes. Leicester were impressive though, recovering from a Rodrigo Bentancur opener to fight back with two goals in three minutes. First Nampalys Mendy scored a screamer to level the scores and when James Maddison turned the game around with the second Spurs simply had no answer. Kelechi Iheanacho and Harvey Barnes piled on the misery for Spurs who’s problems continued to mount up in the physio room.

Captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is out for up to eight weeks and Bentancur picked up a niggle during the mauling in Leicester and is doubtful. And Conte has problems in the left wing back position as Ryan Sessegnon has also been sidelined with an injury. That means Ivan Perisic is the only fit player in the squad who can fill that position. He has made three assists in the competition but his role will be more defensive in Milan. 

Of course, Harry Kane is the man I Rossoneri will be wary of. He has recently become Spurs highest scorer of all time and can win any game with his lethal finishing.

Spurs don’t need to dominate…they just need one moment.

History

Of course, Milan are Champions League royalty having won seven titles, the last in 2007, while Spurs came close in 2019 but failed to show up in the final against Liverpool.  

But here’s a worrying stat for the home fans: Milan have met Spurs four times without yet scoring a goal, losing three games and drawing one.

And in terms of recent form neither team is pulling up trees. With three wins and three defeats from the last six games Tottenham are struggling for consistency but Milan have been in the doldrums, losing four of the last six and finally winning on Saturday.   

Betting Tip

Our Champions League 2023 betting odds make this a wide open leg with Milan the slight favourites at a price of 2.52. Tottenham are slightly longer at 2.61 and the draw is at 3.11.

This is going to be a tight game. Milan want to build on their hard earned win over Torino while Spurs need to prove they are not the pushovers who met Leicester on Saturday and a 1-1 draw, at odds of 5.11, is the most likely outcome.

Conte would bite your hand off that right now!  

 

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