Tottenham suffer first-leg setback in lacklustre loss to AC Milan

Tottenham will have to do things the hard way if they want to progress in the Champions League after they lost 1-0 at AC Milan in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

It was an insipid display at San Siro by Antonio Conte’s side and they were unable to recover from Brahim Diaz’s early opener.

They could have been returning to London with a heavier deficit, with Ivan Perisic having to clear off the line and then Malick Thiaw sending a free header wide as the hosts finished strongly.

Brahim Díaz reacts quickest ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/HkrQKfz9Ub

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 14, 2023

Conte’s men, who have been chronically inconsistent this season against a backdrop of injuries to key players, will have to be much better in the return leg in three weeks if they are to have any hope of overturning Milan’s lead.

They have history of Champions League comebacks, with their run to the 2019 final littered with late twists, though this current crop seem a million miles away from that side under Mauricio Pochettino.

Milan, who were winless in seven games prior to Friday’s victory over Torino, are likewise a far cry from the outfit that eased to the Serie A title last season but Spurs barely threatened their goal despite plenty of possession and territorial advantage.

Despite that poor run of form, the Milan fans wanted to show just how much they loved their side on Valentine’s Day and before kick-off held up tifo signs saying ‘I’m not cheating on you’.

And the hosts were quick to give their adoring faithful a present as they went ahead with less than seven minutes on the clock.

My one and only love ❤️