AC Milan ace Clarence Seedorf backs midfielder Mathieu Flamini to cope with Tottenham pressure

Clarence Seedorf – Milan (Getty Images)

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AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has backed team-mate Mathieu Flamini to cope with the pressure during the clash with Tottenham on Wednesday night.

The French midfielder is likely to receive a hostile reception when his side visit White Hart Lane after injuring Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka with a wild challenge at the San Siro, which earned the 26-year-old a yellow card.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp condemned the challenge on the Croat, arguing that the tackle could have broken the player’s leg, and the former Arsenal man will come in for plenty of stick from the stands in north London.

But Seedorf is confident that Flamini will take the match in his stride, and suggested the Frenchman had become accustomed to such tackles in English football.

“I’ve seen a lot of challenges in the Premier League and there are a lot of challenges here like that – he brought it to Italy, simple,” Seedorf told reporters.

“He will be okay. He will approach tomorrow like he approaches all the games. He is ex-Arsenal too and we know the rivalry between the teams.”

AC Milan will also be without influential midfielder Gennaro Gattuso as the fiery Italian picked up a four-match ban after headbutting Spurs coach Joe Jordan.

Seedorf has played down the void that Gattuso will leave in the middle of the park, adding that Milan are already missing key players and have managed without them.

“We know how important Gattuso is, but there are a lot of players not there for us,” he added.

“We already have a nice list of players not here, like Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini. Without them we have had great results. Those coming in must perform well and that is what we must do.”

Seedorf could captain the side and is ready for the challenge at White Hart Lane.

“I can play in any part of the pitch and try to give quality and experience like I have always done, and perhaps even a little more,” he continued.

“This is a special game after the first leg. But I feel that we are ready to play a great game.”

One player that could be in contention on Wednesday is Kevin Prince-Boateng, who could face his old club and will have a point to prove after his unsuccessful stint at White Hart Lane. But Seedorf is more than convinced that he can step up to the challenge.

“Kevin is a great, great player,” Seedorf continued.

“He’s a great talent who gives a lot of energy to the team and he will be a key player for us for the rest of the season and hopefully for a lot of years to come.

“He brings a lot of added value, and with his past he will be highly motivated.”