Frustrated Tottenham left with glimmer of hope as Milan gesture could backfire
You would think AC Milan are already into the quarter finals judging by their celebrations at the final whistle.
The Milan players joined hands, ran to the crowd and milked a precious victory in front of the home fans in the San Siro.
But that might just backfire as the Tottenham players could not have failed to notice as they trudged off the pitch.
It was anything but a convincing win and Tottenham should believe they can overturn a first leg defeat in the return in three weeks’ time.
Milan are reigning Italian champions, they have won the European Cup seven times but this is hardly a classic team and Stefano Pioli has worked wonders to make them successful again.
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The fans have bought into it and it was a deafening, raucous night in the San Siro as, even though the famous old stadium is crumbling and falling down, it can still whip up an incredible atmosphere.
But Tottenham, despite the defeat, were anything but overawed and their patched-up team could - and probably should - have got something from the tie.
Champions League rookies Oliver Skipp and Pape Sarr excelled in midfield as they were superb in the biggest game of their lives.
But the worry for Tottenham and Antonio Conte in particular is finding some consistency and rhythm to turn their season around.
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Antonio Conte dishes out instructions to his team from the sidelines as Tottenham slipped to defeat (Getty Images)It was the sort of reaction Conte would have wanted having seen Tottenham get thrashed 4-1 at Leicester on Saturday as they dug deep and competed well.
But they are still not finding their groove and, while Harry Kane got a battering from Milan defender Simon Kjaer, poor old Heung-Min Son looks a million miles from his best.
Cristian Romero suffered a night to forget as the World Cup winner has struggled to rediscover any sort of form since his return from the World Cup.
At least Conte looked more like his usual self as, just two weeks after emergency surgery to remove a gall bladder, he was kicking and heading every ball on the touchline.
Conte had looked pale and drawn in his press conference before the game, did not do any media duties before or after Leicester and was rather subdued at the King Power Stadium.
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Brahim Diaz's header proved to be the difference between the sides (AC Milan via Getty Images)But clearly the San Siro - where he helped Inter win the title just two years ago - feels more like home and the Milan fans let him know their feelings all too clear as they jeered and booed his name before kick off.
Milan were terrific at the start as they tore into Spurs, seizing on their frailties and nerves as the visitors struggled to settle.
Theo Hernandez was the biggest threat down Milan’s left wing, the France full back bullied his way past Romero and then saw his fierce shot beaten away by Spurs keeper Fraser Forster.
Tottenham now have work to do if they're to win the second leg but can feel hopeful (Getty Images)Former Manchester City winger Brahim Diaz also saw his follow-up blocked by Forster but then he dived in and headed home from close range to score after just seven minutes.
But Tottenham grew into the game despite their catalogue of injuries and lack of experience. With Pierre-Emile Højbjerg suspended and Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur both injured, Skipp and Sarr stepped up in midfield.
However, Tottenham struggled to create chances and it was Milan who nearly scored again. Charles De Ketelaere headed a glorious chance wide just moments after coming on while Malick Thiew also headed wide from close range.
Milan may live to regret those misses because their slender one goal lead may not be enough for the return in three weeks’ time.
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