They usually had been additionally harmful. This was on a knife edge and it clearly affected Spurs. One slip by them and it could really feel that this tie was over. One objective and it was recreation on. Would they stick or twist? They began quick however with out a lot goal whereas thrice Milan’s Rafael Leao was introduced down with the third, a crude lunge from Cristian Romero, incomes a yellow card. It additionally nearly price them a objective with the cleverly-worked free-kick liberating up Junior Messias who drove the ball throughout objective reasonably than into it. That was undoubtedly a let-off.
There was one other warning, and additional frustration, after Clement Lenglet caught Olivier Giroud as they contested a header. Till that time Conte had remained calm. However no extra as he wheeled away in direction of the fourth official.
It additionally meant that each defenders could be dominated out by way of suspension of the first-leg of the quarter-final ought to Spurs progress.
Regardless of the chilly, regardless of the regular rain a knot of the Milan ultras had been shirtless whereas there was a rising sense of irritation from Spurs supporters. The sport was bity, there have been breaks in play and no stress from Spurs and it was all enjoying into Milan’s fingers.
Spurs needed to up the tempo or be extra incisive on the counter-attack, the place their menace lay, and so when Oliver Skipp hoofed the ball ahead when he had time and house in midfield there was an collective groan. Spurs had been affected by a scarcity of creativity and so it was worrying as Milan performed maintain ball in direction of half-time – it’s exceptional how little urgent Spurs do – that the gamers might be heard out on the pitch. The house followers had quietened down. There wanted to be some inspiration to make the distinction. However the place wouldn’t it come from?
When Romero flicked a hand into Brahim Diaz’s face he was lucky to not obtain additional sanction than conceding one other free-kick. The Argentinian was strolling a tightrope.
The spectacular Diaz, the previous Manchester Metropolis midfielder, was quickly concerned once more after the ball broke to him when Messias’s shot was blocked. Diaz had began the transfer and held off defenders earlier than driving the ball low with Fraser Forster saving alertly together with his toes. That was one other let-off for Spurs.
Did they react? Lastly there was some sustained stress – there simply needed to be – however Milan remained well-organised and intensely tough to interrupt down and in addition did their greatest to interrupt up any Spurs momentum.
Finally Mike Maignan was compelled into one other save as he pushed the ball over after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg labored an angle throughout the penalty space for a rising shot earlier than, on the different finish, Giroud examined Forster after extra good work from Diaz.
With 20 minutes to go Conte made a constructive change with Richarlison changing Emerson Royal however as soon as extra it was Milan who went shut with Leao firing over. All of the sudden Spurs had been much more spiky, much more aggressive because the Brazilian supplied that edge.
Romero supplied an excessive amount of of that as he was dismissed. In injury-time Maignan saved neatly from Kane’s header and Milan substitute Divock Origi struck a submit. There was extra pleasure from Spurs in these six minutes than the earlier 90. They’ll don’t have any argument and there have been extra boos on the remaining whistle.
