Former Tottenham Hotspur coach Harry Redknapp is adamant that Spurs will overturn the 1-0 deficit to Milan in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie in North London and believes the Rossoneri and Inter ‘are not as strong’ as in the past.
In an interview with Tuttomercatoweb, the Englishman explained that he believes that Milan and Inter aren’t as strong as they were in years gone by, but still believes that Napoli are in with a chance of going all the way both in the league and in Europe.
Redknapp knows what it takes to do battle with Italian sides, having beaten Inter at home and away in the Group Stage of the 2010-11 Champions League, before beating Milan over two legs in the round of 16 that same year.
“I have to admit that the Italian teams aren’t as strong as they once were, they’re not at the same level as they were a few seasons ago,” he confessed.
“Milan and Inter certainly have great histories, but the only ones that give me the impression of being a top team at the moment is Napoli. What they are doing is incredible, the advantage they have created over their opponents in the league is frightening”.
Assessing the first leg, in which Milan ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of a seventh-minute goal from Brahim Diaz, Redknapp noted that Tottenham aren’t always as strong away from home as they are in London.
Despite trailing heading into the second leg, there is still confidence that Spurs will overturn the one-goal advantage and progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
“I’ve seen the first leg. Tottenham have some difficulties away from home sometimes, but I think the 1-0 draw isn’t a bad result and I’m sure they’ll turn the tables on the second leg,” he said.
“When you have players of the level of Harry Kane, Son, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski, all are capable of overturning these sorts of situations.”
Still, Redknapp has fond memories of Italian football and reminisced with Tuttomercato about the extensive list of Englishman who have temporarily plied their trade in Serie A.
However, he also believes that the financial draw of playing in the Premier League is hindering players from having the opportunity to play abroad.
In his interview, Redknapp reminded us that: “once upon a time in England we all watched the Italian league and the players dreamed of going to Serie A: Liam Brady, Souness, Francis, Hateley, Jordan, Wilkins – it was special.
“And even further back in time, there were people like John Charles, Dennis Law, Jimmy Greaves – the best of the best in the United Kingdom went to Italy to fulfil their dream.
“Now if you asked Harry Kane to move to Milan or Inter, he would say no. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League. There’s a lot of money, incredible stuff.”