Seven-time European champions AC Milan achieved a outstanding feat on Wednesday, with a masterfully executed 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur incomes them a spot within the Champions League quarterfinals for the primary time in over a decade.
On a freezing evening in north London, the Italians comfortably protected the slender benefit they established within the first leg of their last-16 tie on the San Siro as Tottenham huffed and puffed to little impact.
Tottenham did not muster an try on course within the first half as their frustration boiled over with supervisor Antonio Conte booked for letting his feelings get the higher of him whereas they’d defender Cristian Romero despatched off late on.
Milan might have made it a extra snug evening had they taken any of the great possibilities they created however ultimately a masterclass of defensive sport administration noticed them via.
While Stefano Pioli’s Milan can look ahead with optimism, Tottenham’s season is really fizzling out after a dismal week by which in addition they misplaced within the FA Cup to second-tier Sheffield United and to Wolverhampton Wanderers within the Premier League.
Milan could also be a way off returning to their European pomp however whereas they lack the family names of the late Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, Pioli’s staff had an excessive amount of craft for a Tottenham aspect who had been booed on the last whistle.
The match kicked off 10 minutes late due to visitors points and in fact Tottenham by no means received out of third gear.
Considering it was flagged as their greatest sport of the season there was a mystifying lack of urgency from the hosts within the first half by which the house followers got nothing to heat the spirits on a bitter chilly evening.
Tottenham’s three-man assault of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski had been compelled to feed on scraps and whereas Milan had been hardly any stronger they did have the primary first rate likelihood when Junior Messias drilled a shot broad.
The Italians got here near taking the lead simply after the interval when the ball broke for first-leg scorer Brahim Diaz however his shot was blocked by the legs of Fraser Forster.
With the clock exhibiting 64 minutes Tottenham lastly warmed the gloves of Milan keeper Mike Maignan as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was suspended for the primary leg, fired in an angled drive that was parried over for a nook.
As Tottenham started to commit males ahead gaps appeared on the again and Rafael Leao had an effort blocked after which despatched one other try over the crossbar.
Kane despatched a stooping header broad as the sport started to open up and Tottenham rolled the cube by sending on ahead Richarlison instead of wing again Emerson.
Conte was then jeered for hauling off Kulusevski for defender Davinson Sanchez as time ran out.
Kane nearly leveled in stoppage time with a header beautifully saved by Maignan however Milan might have topped their evening on the counterattack with substitute Divock Origi hitting the submit.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
