Preview UEFA : Spurs vs Milan

t is half a century since the term "glory, glory nights" was first applied to Tottenham's adventures in the European Cup, but the visit of Milan to White Hart Lane, and the possible progression to the quarter-finals that it entails, could herald arguably the club's greatest achievement in the competition.

Few expected Spurs to finish in the top four last season, but they did. Harry Redknapp's side then confounded expectations once more when finishing ahead of Inter to top their group, thanks in no small part to a famous home win over the reigning European champions. Their surprise success in securing a 1-0 lead against the Serie A leaders at the San Siro now leaves them on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals in their debut Champions League campaign.

Milan are beset by fitness problems of their own, most notably in midfield, while Mark van Bommel and Antonio Cassano are both cup-tied. However, Massimiliano Allegri's side approach the game in fine form having defeated second-placed Napoli to tighten their grip on Serie A and, at the weekend, beaten Juventus 1-0 in Turin. 

Tottenham player to watch: Gareth Bale. An obvious pick, no doubt, but the Welshman is without doubt the player that Milan will be paying closest attention to. Though he missed the first leg due to injury, Bale made his comeback from a six-week injury against Wolves on Sunday and should return to the starting line-up. Milan will be acutely aware of his two formidable performances against their city rivals Inter in the group stages.

Milan player to watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede's previous visit to North London saw him score twice for Barcelona against Arsenal last season, even if he is accused of failing to impress against Premier League sides. A force of nature in Serie A, where he has 14 goals and 11 assists already this season, Ibrahimovic saw a late equaliser at San Siro disallowed and will once again spearhead the Rossoneri attack, possibly alongside Alexandre Pato. 

Key Battle: Luka Modric v Mathieu Flamini. Deprived of Gattuso due to suspension, Milan have also been shorn of the well-established pair of Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo due to injury meaning their midfield will take on a very unfamiliar complexion. Kevin-Prince Boateng, formerly of Spurs, is also a doubt so the driving force in the centre of the park will be Flamini, a man who is assured of a hot reception given his Arsenal past and his reckless challenge on Vedran Corluka in the first leg.

 Prediction: Tottenham's home form in Europe should be enough to see them past the Serie A leaders, but it may well be a tense evening at White Hart Lane.

source: Tom Adams, ESPN (soccernet.com)

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi is the subject of a €15 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur..

Tottenham will launch a bid to secure the signing of Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi with a €15 million bid in the current transfer window, according to reports from Italy.

Calciomercatoweb comments that the English Premier League side have been drawn to the former Manchester United striker’s superb form in the Primera Division this season, and will test the Yellow Submarine’s resolve with a significant offer.

Rossi has netted 17 times in 24 appearances in all competitions for the Madrigal club, who are flying high in third spot in the table. Juventus have also been monitoring the situation of the 23-year-old.

The player has recently spoken of his desire to move to a more established club to improve his international standing, and Tottenham, who are participating in the Champions League this season, have the capacity to provide Rossi with a teasing offer to return to England.

The America-born attacker moved from Old Trafford to Spanish football in 2007, and his double strike against Valencia in the Copa del Rey two weeks ago made him the club’s all-time record goalscorer.

source: Goal.com

Spurs lose Defoe for three months after op

Jermain Defoe is set to miss the next three months of the season - and likely Tottenham Hotspur's entire Champions League group stage - as he recovers from an operation on his ankle.

Defoe had already put off surgery on a troublesome groin problem but a knock received against Switzerland during England's 3-1 win in Basel required more urgent care and after seeing a specialist, the striker went under the knife on Thursday evening.

A statement on Spurs' official website flew in the face of expectations that his absence will only be for six weeks: "Following a review by an ankle specialist, Jermain Defoe underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right ankle yesterday evening.

"The striker was forced off with the injury during England's European Championship qualifier in Switzerland on Tuesday and has been ruled out of action for around three months."

He will also miss England's next Euro 2012 qualifier, at home to Montenegro in October, and leave Harry Redknapp without his frontline striker, opening up opportunities for the lesser-spotted likes of Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane. That duo can now expect to face the likes of FC Twente, Inter Milan and Werder Bremen in Champions League Group A.

Source: ESPN