Harry vows to stay on attack

TOTTENHAM have been on a steep learning curve in the Champions League this season, but it does not mean Harry Redknapp will change his ways.

Tottenham are likely to run out at the San Siro tonight committed to go for all-out attack against AC Milan, even though they had to learn a harsh lesson against the Italian club’s bitter city rivals four months ago.

Four goals and one man down after 35 minutes against Inter in October, Redknapp’s remarkable side transformed defeat into some kind of moral victory when Gareth Bale’s sensational second-half hat-trick gave Spurs the belief they could beat the European Champions at home.

And so it proved, with Bale rampant again, as Tottenham tore Inter apart, winning 3-1 at White Hart Lane and sending shockwaves through European football.

They are, after all, debutants in the Champions League despite their fine pedigree in European competition over the past half-century, reaching the semi-final of the European Cup 50 years ago, and winning three European trophies in the ensuing years.

Now after a horrible hiatus, Tottenham are back, and Redknapp is not fazed by the prospect of playing Milan, currently Italy’s top team and with seven European Cups to their name.

Even without Bale, who stayed in London to rest a back problem, Spurs will play the only way they know how, as Redknapp freely admits.

“When you have players like Rafa van der Vaart, Nico Kranjcar and Luka Modric, you cannot go out and shut up shop,” he said.

“They are attacking players, that is what they know best. I can’t string five across midfield and play it tight. That is not our way.

“I don’t want to start asking people to do jobs they are not capable of doing. If I’m going to get the best out of the players I have available they have to play to their strengths.”

Fitness doubts remain over Modric, who had an appendectomy two weeks ago, and Van der Vaart, who had a calf strain. Both trained last night, and are likely to feature, either from the bench or the start.

But Milan, who also have injury problems with Andrea Pirlo, and Gianluca Zambrotta out, are still wary of a weakened Spurs side.

Having seen the way they came back against Inter to lose 4-3, and then destroy Rafa Benitez’s side in London, Milan coach Massimilano Allegri knows what he is up against. “The strength of English sides is that the game is never over until the end. Even without Bale, Tottenham are a very good side, with players who are fast and technical, and also very fit and strong.”

Talking of the Welshman, Allegri also admitted he would love to have Tottenham’s flying winger in his team.

Bale’s hat-trick against Inter drew the world’s attention to the 21-year-old, who is now said to be a summer target for both Milan teams as well as Barca and Real Madrid.

“I don’t think we can compare him to [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo yet but this year he did the right things,” the 43-year-old said.

“He is a player that any manager would like to have in his side.”

Despite Bale’s absence tonight, the Milan boss, who is taking charge of a side in Europe for the first time this season, insists Spurs have other credible attacking options.

He said: “Aaron Lennon is a very quick and intelligent player, Peter Crouch is a good player too so we will need to be careful.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan’s big white hope up front, picked up the coach’s theme as he talked about the respect his side will show Spurs tonight.

“Tottenham are a big team, they have shown that in the Premier League already and they are aiming for the top four again and the Champions League,” he said.

“They are a positive team, they have great players and it will not be an easy game. I have played against Arsenal and I think they are on the same level.”

The big Swede, who revealed he chose Milan over Manchester City in the summer because of football rather than financial aspirations, was in the Barcelona side that humiliated Arsenal last season, but does not see it being so easy against their north London rivals.

“It’s not like they are underdogs,” he added. “They are here because they have many fantastic players in every position. We will do everything we can to beat them.”

Centre-back William Gallas was in that Arsenal team taken apart by Ibrahimovic and Co last season, and said: “He is a great striker, but they also have Robinho and Pato. Ideally we can leave here after a goalless draw, but I know that is going to be tough.”

Redknapp emphasised the point. “We want to make sure we are in the game when we go back to White Hart Lane.

“We feel that at home we can beat anyone on European nights with the fantastic atmosphere.”

“We have proved this year with the goals that we have scored that we can be a handful for anyone.”