Five burning issues in the Champions League this week

Champions League football returns this week with Arsenal and Spurs both in last sixteen action. JOE looks at how the North London clubs will fare against two of Europe’s most decorated sides, and what methods they may use to get a favourable result to take into the second leg.

By Frank McCann

1. With Gareth Bale missing and Milan’s good form of late, how will Spurs cope in the San Siro?

When the draw for the group stages was made, it seemed like Spurs would have a tough time getting into the last 16. Having to face the likes of Werder Bremen and the European Champions Inter Milan, they were not given an easy start to life in the Champions League. But all credit to Harry Redknapp’s side, they battled hard to win group A and were involved in some of the most exciting games of the tournament so far.

It is safe to say that Gareth Bale’s absence is a tremendous blow to Tottenham ahead of their trip to Italy on Tuesday night. The Welsh International has been a pivotal figure in the North London side’s rise in Europe’s premier club competition.

The last time Bale was in the San Siro he bagged a hat-trick, giving Brazilian international Maicon the runaround in the process during his team’s honourable 4-3 defeat at the hands of Inter Milan.

Bale is such an important player for Tottenham. His performances in Europe have been amongst the best any player has produced this season. His pace and power have caused so many problems for any opponent who stood in his way.

Gareth Bale will be a massive loss for Spurs

But with the winger definitely out, Spurs cannot afford to sulk, and fortunately for them, they have an adequate replacement in Niko Kranjcar. The Croatian international has been superb in his recent games and has scored two winning goals in his last two outings. He will be out to prove that he still has a lot to offer at White Hart Lane.

AC Milan are unbeaten in ten games and have once again become a tough team to beat. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been in excellent form in front of goal, finding the net on 18 occasions so far this season. Spurs will have to focus on staying tight to the Swede and not give him a chance to control the ball, as he has the ability to punish slack defending by feeding the ball through to his attacking partners.

If Spurs can keep Ibrahimovic quiet, they can get the better of a Milan midfield that will be without Andrea Pirlo, who is sidelined for the next few months. Gennaro Gatusso and Mathieu Flamini may be a spent force in midfield and this could work to the away side’s advantage as Rafael Van der Vaart may get a chance to open up the play and help Spurs score a vital away goal.

2. Should Spurs be focusing more on finishing in the top four in the Premier League rather than progressing in the Champions League?

This is a question that divides opinion. Some people would ask why they shouldn’t focus on the Champions League while they are still in the competition, while others think they should be focussing on the future of the club.

Spurs are currently in a strong position. They are in the last 16 of the Champions League and have just moved back into the top four of the Premier League. The season is well balanced for Spurs at the moment, but the next few months are crucial to the future of the club.

With the game against AC Milan just around the corner, Spurs will be focussing greatly on progressing to the next round. However, if their league form suffers and they fail to make the top four it could affect the future of the club For a start, they could lose their star players.

Rafael Van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric have become three of the most sought-after players in Europe. If Spurs failed to finish in the top four, they would really struggle to hold onto them, as there is genuine interest from clubs in England and beyond. If they were to lose these players, they would have to rebuild the team once again, and although they would have more than enough funds to do that, they would be back to square one again.

They should give it their all against Milan. Why wouldn’t they? They are in it to win it after all. However, if they were to get eliminated it wouldn’t be a disaster, just as long as they get there again next season.

3. What approach should Arsenal take going into their game against Barca?

For many, this fixture is what football is all about. Two teams with an attacking mindset playing the game the way it was always supposed to be played.

However, it is hard to see Arsenal beating Barcelona if they play their regular attacking style of football. After last season’s meeting between the two, it was clear that there was a huge gap in quality.

Despite Barca’s 1-1 draw with Sporting Gijon on Saturday night, which put an end to their sixteen-game La Liga winning streak, the Catalan outfit rested some of their key players that will be fresh and ready to go at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Arsenal are an excellent attacking team, but unfortunately for them, Barca are much better. What the Gunners have to do is find an alternative way to play against Messi and company. They really have to frustrate them in the centre of the park, where the away side will do most of their damage.

Arsenal will have to stick tight to these three if they are to stand a chance

Alex Song and Jack Wilshire will have to make sure they keep tight to World Cup winners Xavi and Andres Iniesta, while the wide players will have to deny Barca’s full backs the space to get forward. Keeping the game at a slower pace will prevent the Spanish side from attacking as much and the Gunners will have to hope that they can get something on the break.

The North-London side must get a positive result to bring to the Nou Camp if they are to have any chance of progressing. However, the Gunners have the experience following last season’s games and should be in better shape this time around.

4. Messi. How can Arsenal stop him?

How do you stop the greatest player in the world?

The Argentinean genius, who has scored 34 goals in 40 games this season, will once again be the biggest threat on the pitch, and Arsenal have to find a way to stop him if they are to have any hope against the Catalan giants.

Messi likes to run with the ball. He is not awful fond of trickery, although he can perform skill that would make the best players in the world look foolish. So if you can, don’t let him run. Like most of the Barca players, you have to stay tight to them. It will limit what Arsenal can create themselves, but they learned last year that if you let the Spanish side play, they will destroy you.

5. What about the rest?

Valencia host Schalke 04 at the Mestalla on Tuesday night, with Raul set to make his return to Spain after he joined the German side during the Summer.

The two sides have met on two previous occasions, with both games ending in a stalemate. Both sides have only lost one Champions League game each this season, with Schalke beaten by Lyon and Valencia going down at home to Manchester United.

The game is expected to be a tight affair, but Valencia will be looking to take an advantage to Germany and build on their good form that has seen them win six of their last seven games.

Shakhtar Donetsk travel to the Stadio Olimpico for their last-sixteen tie against Roma on Wednesday night. The Ukranian side, who topped a group containing Arsenal, have been one of Europe’s most improved teams over the last two seasons.

Roma are having a bad spell of late, losing their last two matches in Serie A. However, Shakhtar are not the best on their travels and the home side have won five of their last six Champions League games, so the Italian side will be hoping to bring a lead into the return leg in the Ukraine.