Seedorf not worried about Bale comeback

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has dismissed fears the return of Gareth Bale will spell the end of Milan’s European campaign.

The dangerous Tottenham winger could make his first start in nearly two months on Wednesday when Spurs host the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Milan.

The Wales international was absent during Tottenham’s stunning 1-0 win in Milan in the opening leg due to a back injury, but marked his return to competition by appearing as a late substitute in Spurs’ 3-3 draw at Wolverhampton on Sunday.

But Seedorf is unconcerned by reports Bale will be lining up for the opening whistle at White Hart Lane, saying no one player will decide which team makes it through to the quarter-finals.

“We lost the first match without Bale (playing) so I don’t think that it’s the one player that will make the difference,” Seedorf said.

“As I said before, I think it’s a team effort and even if he has great individual qualities, it will still be the team that makes the difference. That’s what we have to worry about.”

“We respect Tottenham. They have shown that they are a good team, so we know what we have to do tomorrow.”

Milan have a danger man of their own in the form of prolific striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has scored 14 times in the Serie A this season.

But Seedorf, who is the only player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs, was quick to point out that Ibrahimovic alone cannot be held responsible for securing Milan’s safe passage to the last eight and said it is up to his team-mates to ensure the Swede has the support he needs.

“I can just tell that we have one of the best strikers in the world in our team and that it’s up to the team to also make sure that he can perform well,” the Dutchman said.

“In most of the occasions, especially in the past – as far as I know – a lot of things depended on him, and you cannot play in the Champions League with just one player making the difference.”

“That doesn’t work, so I think that AC Milan tomorrow will have to – more than on other occasions – make sure that we support Zlatan during the game in his actions and hopefully help him make the difference for us.”