Spurs won’t sit back at Inter
INTER MILAN VS TOTTENHAM
ITV1, ko 7.45pm
TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp insists his plans for one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history have not been derailed by the absence of Rafael van der Vaart.
The Holland playmaker has been an instant hit since joining last month but is suspended for Redknapp’s hardest fixture in a highly competitive Group A campaign.
“Obviously, he [Van der Vaart] changes the way we play,” said the Spurs boss. “We played one system when Rafa was playing and it suited him fine. He’s not here but the other players can play the same type of role. Luka Modric is a world-class player, so he could easily slot into that same role that Rafa plays.”
Both Inter Milan and Spurs scored four goals in thumping home wins on Matchday Two and, although it may be inviting danger, Redknapp has vowed to remain gung-ho even away from home against the holders.
“We always have a go; we play an attacking game,” he added. “We’ll look to have a go [at Inter] and try to cause them problems. We won’t just look to sit back and soak up pressure for 90 minutes; that’s not the way we play. We’ll be positive and see what we can do.”
Ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, now at Inter, has steered the club to third in the Italian top flight after seven games but is without striker Diego Milito. “Tottenham have changed a lot since I last faced them with Liverpool,” he said. “They’ve spent a lot and now have quality.”