Tottenham-AC Milan Preview: Gattuso’s Revenge

The last time we faced Tottenham was three years ago in the Audi Cup, when they beat us 2-0. Before that, it was in the Champions League, with the infamous Joe Jordan vs. Gennaro Gattuso matchup. Hopefully no one at Tottenham makes xenophobic remarks tonight, especially since it’s just a friendly, because we don’t need to tempt fate. Besides, it has been over a year now since Gattuso faced discipline for physical violence against someone else, it would be great to keep that streak going. I for one would like to see Gattuso’s team avenge the Jordan incident on the pitch with a win against a team whose mascot and namesake represent an ugly facet of the brutally barbaric and inhumane sport of cockfighting. I think it’s finally time for Gattuso’s Revenge.

Don't mess with him... er... I mean his boys

I can only sound that confident because the Spurs, aka Harry Kane and friends, are missing the Premier League’s top scorer and World Cup Golden Boot winner for this match due to his participation in the World Cup. Also because there are a very few £5 notes in circulation with his image on them, he is probably trying to find one so he can retire. In addition to their ridiculous 30 goal-scoring last season player, they are missing others from the World Cup, and now have injuries to worry about, too. Here are the players Pochettino brought with him to the U.S. (Players crossed out have been ruled out or sent home with injuries)

Luke Amos, Serge Aurier, Brandon Austin, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Ben Davies, Christian Eriksen, TJ Eyoma, Juan Foyth, Paulo Gazzaniga, Anthony Georgiou, Erik Lamela, Fernando Llorente, George Marsh, Lucas Moura, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Davinson Sanchez, Moussa Sissoko, Oliver Skipp, Heung-min Son, Kaziah Sterling, Michel Vorm, Kyle Walker-Peters, Victor Wanyama, and Alfie Whiteman

Tottenham instigated a smackdown on Roma, 4-1 in their opening ICC match, but then lost to Barcelona on penalties after fighting their way back from 2-0 down. Will they end their tournament with a win, or will Gattuso get his revenge?

We'll face a couple of ex-Serie A players in Lamela (aka the Apple) and Llorente

Gattuso has a couple of injuries of his own in Bertolacci and Bonaventura. Other than that, he will have the rest of his U.S. squad available, including newly returned Rodriguez, Silva, and Zapata.

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma A., Donnarumma G., Reina

Defenders: Abate, Antonelli, Bellodi, Bonucci, Calabria, Musacchio, Rodriguez, Zapata

Midfielders: Bertolacci, Bonaventura, Brescianini, Calhanoglu, Halilovic, Kessie, Locatelli, Mauri, Torrasi

Forwards: Borini, Cutrone, Kalinic, André Silva, Suso, Tsadjout

Gattuso did mention he regretted not giving some youngsters some time last week in Los Angeles, so perhaps he will give them a chance tonight. Certainly fans have been begging to see what Halilovic can do, so it would be nice to see him get some minutes.

Hoping they show the U.S. more love tonight

In these friendlies, anything can happen. Like 26 penalty kicks, for example. But after playing so well last week and still coming up on the short side of those penalties, Milan could really use a straight up win. With all of the drama around the ownership and management and the rumors involving everyone from Gattuso on down, a nice, well-deserved win would do this team some serious amounts of good right about now. Plus, after listening to Joe Jordan’s xenophobic remarks all those years ago as a player, winning against his old side would certainly exact Gattuso’s revenge. Without any kind or disciplinary action.

This post inspired by the music of Richard Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries”

Tottenham vs. AC Milan

Tuesday, July 31st • 7:35pm CDT (Wednesday, August 1st • 2:35am CEST)

This match will NOT be shown LIVE on television in the U.S.

(can be streamed in Spanish on ESPN3)