As Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan prepare to go toe-to-toe in the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, we decided to pick a combined XI.
With both Antonio Conte and Stefano Piolo’s sides underwhelming this campaign, while occupying 5th place in their respective leagues, this could be a tight affair.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AC Milan combined XI
Goalkeeper: Tottenham skipper Hugo Lloris emerges as the surprise winner in our combined XI
Yes, Hugo Lloris is the No.1 in the combined Tottenham-AC Milan combined XI. Why, you ask? Well, Mike Maignan has been ruled out with a calf injury for the most of the season, starting a mere 7 games whilst Ciprian Tătărușanu has made for an extremely disappointing No.2.
So, as poor as Lloris has been, especially since the World Cup, he has somehow made the cut.
Right-back: Davide Calabria wins this one easily
Considering Emerson Royal has understandably be branded ‘useless’ by Gabby Agbonlahor on talkSPORT for his poor displays for Tottenham this season, whilst Pedro Porro has just joined the club and Matt Doherty did not pull up any trees, AC Milan captain Davide Calabria strolls in this combined XI at right-back.
Whilst the Italian has also suffered injury problems, he has provided balance in attack and defence a lot than any of Spurs’ options this season.
Centre-backs: Kalulu and Romero are our centre-back pairing in the combined XI
It’s safe to say that we were not spoilt for choice at centre-back, with both sides leaking goals for fun.
However, Cristian Romero and Pierre Kalulu have perhaps been the best out of a bad bunch at both Tottenham and AC Milan respectively, which is why they make the cut in our combined XI.
With Eric Dier just described as ‘outrageously bad’ against Leicester and Fikayo Tomori’s stock also falling off a cliff, this was not a particular easy choice.
Left-back: AC Milan star Theo Hernandez may be the best in the world
At the World Cup as well as throughout the season, the Frenchman has been superb for both club and country.
With Ivan Perisic flattering to deceive and Ryan Sessegnon still looking uncomfortable as a left wing-back, it should come as no surprise that Theo Hernandez has been chosen in our Tottenham-AC Milan combined XI.
Defensive midfielder: AC Milan controller Ismael Bennacer in, Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg out
While the ‘outstanding’ Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg has impressed this season, Ismael Bennacer is just on another level in terms of dictating play from deeper areas as well as his technical supremacy.
As excellent as Hojbjerg has been, there are levels to this game.
Central midfielders: Tonali and Bentancur comprise the midfield in our Tottenham-Milan combined XI
Both Rodrigo Bentancur and Sandro Tonali have not let their standards slip whilst assessing the season as a whole, which is why they make the grade in our Tottenham-AC Milan combined XI.
Tonali’s ability to control a game from the No.8 position coupled with Bentancur’s ball-carrying ability will be a joy to witness.
Right-winger: Dejan Kulusevski takes the crown in our combined XI
While Dejan Kulusevski has been injured in patches, AC Milan simply do not have a single option at right-wing that can compete with the Tottenham wideman in this combined XI.
The Swede’s incredible final ball, supreme ball-carrying ability and tendency to churn out chances out of nothing make him arguably the finest winger both sides possess.
Striker: Olivier Giroud is still class for Milan but Tottenham ace Harry Kane is still arguably the best on the planet
While Olivier Giroud reminded the world of his excellent longevity, Harry Kane has a case for being the most well-rounded striker in world football to this day.
In all honesty, the ‘phenomenal’ Englishman is in a league of his own when compared to most No.9’s, including France’s all-time top goalscorer.
Left-winger: AC Milan wideman Rafael Leao beats Tottenham legend Son Heung-min
While Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘unreal’ £130 million-rated target Rafael Leao has also seen a dip in his displays for AC Milan this season, Son Heung-min is perhaps the biggest underperformer in England currently, which makes this an easy choice in our combined XI.
The South Korean international looks million miles away from the player he was in the previous campaign, while the Portuguese winger still remains one of the deadliest players in his position in Europe.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AC Milan combined XI: Lloris, Calabria, Romero, Kalulu, Hernandez, Bennacer, Tonali, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Kane, Leao
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