Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp doesn’t understand why Juventus sold Dejan Kulusevski and predicts Spurs will miss two key players against Milan tonight.
The 75-year-old was in charge of Spurs in 2011, their last Champions League meeting with the Rossoneri.
They won 1-0 at San Siro thanks to a goal from Peter Crouch, in a match mostly remembered for the touchline row between Gennaro Gattuso and Redknapp’s former assistant Joe Jordan.
“Those were different times, Milan had champions like Nesta Thiago Silva, Gattuso, Robinho, Ibra. We had Modric and van der Vaart,” the former Spurs tactician told Gazzetta.
Redknapp was the coach who gave Harry Kane his senior debut at Tottenham.
“It’s the best striker I’ve ever coached. His mentality is incredible, when he was 18, he would remain on the pitch for one more hour to train,” he said.
“He’s always been obsessed with improving and now he is Tottenham and England’s starting striker. He is the primary threat to Milan.”
Who will be the key players for Milan in tonight’s meeting at San Siro?
“I think Leao, but also Giroud. He is similar to Kane and knows how and when to score,” said Redknapp.
“Intensity on the wings will be crucial, Perisic is a hammer, but the same is true of Theo and Leao. Lloris and Bentancur’s absences will be felt.”
What does he make of Antonio Conte?
“I am a big admirer, he is obsessed with victories. He wins wherever he goes, often by making many changes.
“Spurs have a great team now. I like Kulusevski and I don’t understand how Juventus could sell him so easily, better for Tottenham.”
Did he ever have the chance to coach a Serie A club?
“Never, but Di Canio is among the best players I’ve coached. He was a genius, once in a while he got in trouble, but I loved him.”
You can follow the build-up to Milan-Tottenham in the Football Italia liveblog.
The last time these two sides met in the Champions League, Spurs gained access to the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 win at San Siro and a 0-0 draw in London. Redknapp was in charge of the North London side while Massimiliano Allegri was the Rossoneri boss.