Braham Diaz gave AC Milan a narrow win in the first leg of their last 16 tie at the San Siro after Tottenham returned to the Champions League.
Diaz nodded early after Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster saved Theo Hernandez’s shot and then superbly touched the scorer’s early follow-up effort.
Antonio Conte’s side looked relatively comfortable for long stretches of the match against the seven-time European champions – as the young duo of Pep Sarr and Oliver Schipp suited up in midfield for the suspended Pierre-Emile Hodgeberg and the injured Rodrigo Bentanker. What was appointed?
However, they were rarely able to generate attacking momentum with their front three of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Klosewski well contained by a disciplined home defense until their withdrawal.
Aside from ambitious long-range efforts from Emerson Royale and Sarr, Conte looked the most capable of creating a threat from set-pieces but neither Kane nor Eric Dier could direct headers on goal with two excellent sun deliveries. succeeded in doing.
In the end, Spurs were grateful for the hosts’ swagger as Belgian midfielder Charles de Catellier and German defender Malek Theo both created excellent chances – to keep the Italian side firmly in control of the tie.
Had either been given the nod, Spurs would have faced an even more difficult recovery operation in the return leg in London on Wednesday, March 8.
As it is, they must try to turn the tie round without Dier, who will be suspended after collecting a second-half booking.
Milan continue to bounce back against Spurs.
Before last Friday’s victory over Torino, Stefano Pioli’s side had endured a poor start to 2023, picking up just two points from a possible 15 – and slipping to fifth in Serie A.
However, while they don’t have the star quality or flare of Milan’s great sides, they showed enough flair to make up for the slim lead.
Their only regret will be not putting the tie ahead of a Spurs side who put up a good fightback but barely got a glove on them in the final third.
As it is, a place in the quarter-finals hangs very much in the balance, although Conte must still find a way to compensate for the loss of Uruguay international Bentanker, who has been a key player since his arrival from Juventus. has gone 12 months ago
The Italian will also demand more diligence in defense from his side and Argentina’s Cristian Romero is sure to scrutinize his role in Milan’s win.
The World Cup-winning centre-back was tripped by Hernandez as he advanced the home side’s goal and was later booked for an ill-timed challenge on the lively Rafael Lew.
Stopping the Portugal international’s dangerous runs in the second leg will be crucial to Spurs’ hopes as they bid to prevent Milan from reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012.
