Mathieu Flamini apologises for tackle but Vedran Corluka wants him locked up

16 February 2011 11:39
AC Milan's Mathieu Flamini is sorry for the tackle that Tottenham defender Vedran Corulka said should have landed him in jail. [LNB]Midfielder Flamini was lucky to escape a red card for a wild two-footed lunge which saw Croatian Corulka carried from the field on a stretcher as Spurs won the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie 1-0. [LNB]Tempers flared at the San Siro with Milan captain Gennaro Gattuso headbutting Spurs coach Joe Jordan and Flamini, who received a yellow card for his challenge, tried to calm things down ahead of next month's return at White Hart Lane. [LNB] Ref justice: Flamini (No 16) was only booked after leaving Corluka in a crumpled heap on the touchline[LNB]The Frenchman, who spent four years as an Arsenal player before moving to Italy, said: 'I went to the Tottenham locker room to check on Corluka's condition and to apologise.' [LNB]But the Croatia player said later that Flamini 'should be in jail for that tackle'. [LNB]As a former Gunner Flamini knows what to expect in north London but he is confident the Serie A leaders can turn the tie around after Peter Crouch scored the crucial goal. [LNB]He added: 'The tie is still there to be won. It won't be easy but we have shown we can create chances and it's up to us to play a great match in London. [LNB]'It was a real shame because we played a good second half. We created several chances but unfortunately we were hit on the counter attack when we were on top and that's why it's such a shame we lost. [LNB]'The difference was that we pressed them a lot higher up the pitch in the second half.[LNB] Unfortunate end: Corluka was forced to make an early exit on a stretcher after Flamini's wild tackle[LNB]'We started developing our football more after the break and that's the direction we need to keep heading in. We must go to London without any complexes and do everything in our power to turn things in our favour.' [LNB]Milan right-back Ignazio Abate can look forward to a busy night as Wales winger Gareth Bale should be available after recovering from a back injury. [LNB]But, like Flamini, the defender is staying positive. [LNB]He said. 'In the first half we didn't manage to press them back in their half but the second half was much better, we kept them pegged back, we won back possession in their third of the pitch. [LNB]'We had them on the ropes and perhaps with a bit more clear-mindedness in front of goal we could have scored. [LNB]'Their tactics were to be expected. They came to play for a 0-0 which is normal and it's the advantage you have when you play the first leg away from home.[LNB] 'However we will just have to go there and bring all of our qualities into the equation. It won't be easy obviously because of the way things went but we must stay calm, forget about this and win in London.' [LNB] San heroes! Harry Redknapp lauds his side after San Siro win but calls for UEFA to ban bad boys Flamini and Gattuso Gomes backs Spurs to go all the way after banishing ghost of San SiroMartin Samuel: How the mafiosi of Milan have made Spurs fans of us allAC Milan 0 Tottenham 1: Peter Crouch is the San Siro hero as Harry Redknapp's battlers win warAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Peter Crouch, Gareth Bale Places: Milan, London, Croatia, Italy, Wales

Source: Daily_Mail