AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has welcomed their Champions League draw with Tottenham.
Antonio Conte’s Spurs will meet Milan in the round of 16.
Pioli said: “Difficult matches, against a strong opponent, coached by a great coach who knows us well. In the second round it is unthinkable to find easy opponents, but we prepare for the best: it will be an opponent that’s stimulating, we will play them with our qualities, with confidence.
“Conte is a great coach, who has won so much everywhere. He gives a clear identity and a great mentality to his team; Tottenham is very compact and tidy with very strong individualities, like Kane, Son, Kulusevski, Perisic, with many who know Milan and Italian football. On paper I think it can be a balanced challenge.
“The level of the Premier is very high, but now there are also three Italians. We will play the first leg at home and it will be a factor, we must do well.”
On whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic will make the Spurs clash, Pioli added: “We all hope that Zlatan can come back with us as soon as possible, the recovery is progressing well. Then let’s see in February. In the Champions League, the moment you get there counts, there is still so much time left: we must be focused for tomorrow.”
