Why Ibrahimovic cannot play for AC Milan against Tottenham in UCL clash

Tottenham Hotspur will look to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals by overturning a first leg deficit against AC Milan and will avoid coming up against one of the all-time great strikers

Tottenham Hotspur will face AC Milan in their Champions League round of 16 second leg on Wednesday, March 8. Spurs will head into the game looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit after a difficult first leg at the San Siro.

Ibrahimovic made his first appearance of 2022/23 campaign last night after making a return from a long-term injury. After Milan's 2-0 win against Atalanta, the Swedish striker said: “I suffered a lot but I’m back, I feel very good now.

"I’m not here to play five or six minutes, I want to play the whole game," he added.

After missing most of the season so far, Ibrahimovic was left out of AC Milan's Champions League squad for the remainder of the tournament with a tough round of 16 tie against Spurs, which is why he is ineligible for the second leg in north London on March 8.

Despite the veteran striker's absence from the squad, Milan still have the players capable of causing Spurs some problems at the back, with Eric Dier set to miss the second leg after picking up a booking at the San Siro - meaning he is suspended for the return clash.