For the first time in 11 years, Milan advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. A goalless draw in the second leg against Tottenham was enough for the Italians. In the final phase, substitute Divock Origi hit the post.
Tottenham – Milan in a nutshell
- Key moment: Just when Tottenham puts Milan under pressure, Romero runs into his second yellow card. With one more man, Milan remains boss.
- Man of the Match: Milan’s defense played meticulously, but goalkeeper Mike Maignan still gets the credit. The Frenchman made a crucial save on Kane’s header in extra time.
- Statistics: Tottenham needed to score at least 1 goal to push through, but only had 2 tries in 96 minutes. Tottenham have been unable to score in their last 5 CL matches in the knockout phase.
- Remarkable: Milan advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2012. Then it could also celebrate in London after the elimination of Arsenal.
A sleep-inducing game of football before the break
The first leg had already received no beauty prize and the second leg was perhaps even worse. Both teams served up a sleep-inducing display, only Milan had the excuse that it shouldn’t really be looking for a goal.
At Tottenham, in the “most important game of the season” there was a lack of drive, pace and creativity to disturb Milan’s tight-playing defence. After the break, the home team’s game got a bit more spicy, but that didn’t yield any clear chances.
On the other side, Milan had the opportunity to score on the counterattack, but Diaz – De Ketelaere’s competitor – took it lightly. Especially since Milan was increasingly under pressure. The Italians had to make mistakes and allow corner kicks.
Red card kills Tottenham, post keeps Origi from hero role
But just then, Romero went way too bold with Hernandez. The Argentinian from Tottenham, who already escaped red in the first leg, rightly received his second yellow card and Tottenham’s offensive lost momentum.
Milan seemed to play out the match easily, but it was still a shock when Kane was able to head towards goal on a free kick in extra time. But Maignan had a good reflex to save Milan from extra time.
The ball went straight to the other side where substitute Divock Origi was able to kick himself into the hearts of the Milan fans, but his shot hit the post. That could not dampen the joy of qualifying, because Milan is in the last 8 in the Champions League for the first time in 11 years.
Milan coach Pioli: “We can always dream”
“Based on both games, this qualification is deserved,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli. “I asked my players to put their soul into their game and they showed character. We never gave up.”
Pioli was delighted with qualifying. “We have to take it step by step. Surviving the group stage was already an improvement compared to last season. Now we will encounter a clapper in the quarter-finals, but we can always dream.”
With 7 final victories in the European Cup I and the Champions League, Milan is a big name in Europe. “Being there in the Champions League is important for Milan,” Pioli realizes. “Now only the best teams remain in Europe, but nothing is impossible in sport. We have to go into the quarter-finals with confidence and belief in ourselves.”
Conte: “Think players were overwhelmed by pressure”
“I can’t blame the players in terms of effort, but on the offensive side it should have been better”, Antonio Conte kicked in an open door. “This is already the third game in a row in which we cannot score.”
“The intention was to start the match with a lot of intensity, but I think the players were a bit overwhelmed by the pressure. My younger players need to get more experience in these kinds of matches.”
Despite the elimination, Conte still found a bright spot. “Last season we played in the Conference League and we were killed in the group stage. This is a step forward, even if it is not enough.”
