AC Milan’s Champions League credentials had been barely examined by Tottenham because the seven-time winners superior to the quarterfinals.
The Italian champions, nevertheless, nonetheless have an opportunity of successful membership soccer’s largest prize for the primary time since 2007, whereas Spurs’ 15-year look ahead to a trophy goes on.
A goalless draw towards 10-man Tottenham on Wednesday was sufficient to safe a 1-0 mixture win within the spherical of 16, with Brahim Diaz’ first-leg strike decisive.
Even the return of supervisor Antonio Conte couldn’t encourage a comeback from the London membership, whose greatest likelihood got here within the 94th minute when Harry Kane’s header was pushed away from the road by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
“That is the third game in a row that we were not able to score,” Conte said. “I think we can do much better offensively. I speak about the whole team not only those who play in the front half. We can do much better.”
Milan was allowed to cruise by means of the sport on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which noticed Cristian Romero despatched off within the second half.
Kane’s effort was the closest the house group got here to leveling the rating on mixture — earlier than Milan substitute Divock Origi hit the put up in a frantic end.
“For positive in our thoughts it was to place strain on with depth however within the first half we discovered it tough offensively,” Conte said. “We felt a bit of pressure. I think they need to play regularly this type of game to try to improve.”
Conte was again on the sideline for Tottenham after spending two-and-a-half weeks in Turin recovering from gallbladder surgical procedure.
But the Italian supervisor might solely watch on as his group failed to interrupt down Milan, that means Spurs are nonetheless ready for a primary main piece of silverware since successful the League Cup in 2008.
Tottenham is now left to battle for a spot within the Premier League high 4, which would offer a route again into the Champions League. Conte’s future may also be the topic of scrutiny amid ongoing hypothesis about whether or not he’ll stay on the membership past the tip of the season.
Milan, in the meantime, can dream of an eighth title in Europe’s elite membership competitors.
Only Real Madrid, with 14 titles, has been topped European champion on extra events than Milan.
Few anticipate Stefano Pioli’s group to interrupt its drought within the competitors this season, nevertheless it heads into the final eight after a defensively resolute efficiency subdued a Tottenham assault that was wanting concepts.
While the end was thrilling, the remainder of the sport had supplied few possibilities for both facet.
Tottenham had gone into the sport on the again of bruising losses to second-division Sheffield United within the FA Cup and Wolverhampton within the Premier League.
While Conte’s return ought to have supplied a lift, there was little signal of it as Spurs barely troubled Milan within the first half.
A deflected cross from Kane that Maignan needed to block at his close to put up was the house group’s greatest likelihood earlier than the break.
Conte had let his personal frustrations boil over when receiving a yellow card for remonstrating a reserving for Clement Lenglet within the first half, shortly after Romero had acquired his first warning.
Tottenham’s depth improved within the second half, however Diaz threatened to increase Milan’s lead when forcing Fraser Forster to save lots of along with his legs shortly after the restart.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg was then denied by Maignan after a driving run within the field.
Spurs continued struggled to create possibilities and their process was made much more tough when Romero fouled Theo Hernandez and was despatched off for a second yellow card within the 78th.
With only one objective separating the groups there was at all times the possibility of late drama.
Kane got here near offering it along with his highly effective header that Maignan pushed off the road.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
