Redknapp: Memorable night
We are a team that usually scores and can let goals in, but I would have taken 0-0 before the game.
Harry Redknapp
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Harry Redknapp admits his nerves were frayed watching Tottenham secure UEFA Champions League progress.
The Spurs boss saw his side grind out a 0-0 draw with Italian giants AC Milan on Wednesday to book their place in the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier club competition.
In the end a solitary strike from Peter Crouch in the first meeting between the two sides proved to be enough, with Tottenham edging through 1-0 on aggregate.
Things did not go entirely to plan for them at White Hart Lane in midweek, with Milan able to peg them back for long periods.
Redknapp, though, was delighted with the spirit displayed by his side, even if they did put him through the wringer.
“It was always going to be a nervy night,” he said.
“If people think you are going to come here and smash AC Milan out of sight, they have obviously not been watching football over the years. It was what I expected – a tough, tough night.
Difficult
“Sometimes when you have a lead from the first game it puts you in a very difficult situation.
“I said to the players before the game, ‘Let’s get after them’. But we found it difficult to get the ball for long spells. They narrowed up the midfield, they played with a diamond, we were playing with width and we got outnumbered in the middle of the park.”
Redknapp admits he is not accustomed to seeing Spurs put in such a dogged defensive display, but he was proud of each and every one of his players after watching them prolong their continental adventure.
“I thought we worked very hard to stay in contact with them,” he added.
“Sandro, I thought, was immense in midfield, for a young lad with limited experience. The centre-halves defended for their lives and the keeper did well for us, taking pressure off us when he had to.
“We had to defend for quite long spells, but we did that. We got a clean sheet and that was important.
“We are a team that usually scores and can let goals in, but I would have taken 0-0 before the game. It was what we needed and it has put us through.”
