Injury-hit Spurs are beaten in Champions League last-16 first leg after Brahim Diaz’s early goal… but Antonio Conte’s side are still in the tie after holding firm in second half on Tuesday.
Brahim Diaz gave AC Milan a 1-0 win against Spurs in their Champions League last 16 first leg – but the Italians were left to rue missing two huge chances in the second half.
After just seven minutes Milan had the lead. Diaz saw his fierce effort saved brilliantly by Fraser Forster but the Spaniard was on hand to head home the rebound, Eurosport reports.
Spurs responded well to going behind with Antonio Conte’s side enjoying good possession but they were unable to fashion anything clear-cut thanks to Milan’s defending.
Stefano Pioli’s side were happy to let Spurs have the ball in safe areas with the Serie A side looking to play on the counter-attack, primarily through Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao on the left-hand side.
In the second half, Spurs continued to play well through midfield – with makeshift duo Oliver Skipp and Papa Matar Sarr acquitting themselves well – but the Premier League side lacked ideas and the necessary quality in the final third to really trouble the hosts.
As Conte’s side pushed forward in search of an equaliser, more space opened up in behind for Milan to exploit on the counter-attack.
Milan wasted two glorious chances to score within two minutes. First, Charles De Ketelaere fired a header wide of the target and then, just a minute later, Leao found Malick Thiaw in the box but he could only divert his header wide of the post.
Milan were able to withstand late pressure from Spurs and head into the second leg with a precious lead.
