Brahim Diaz’s first aim since October gave Milan a 1-0 victory over Tottenham within the first leg of their Champions League spherical of 16 tie.
Diaz had gone 12 video games with no aim for the Serie A champions however shocked Spurs with an early header on Tuesday.
Tottenham noticed loads of the ball however have been unable to give you an equaliser on former Inter boss Antonio Conte’s return to San Siro.
Milan had been with no win in seven matches earlier than beating Torino final Friday, however Diaz gave them back-to-back victories and a slender benefit to take into the second leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 8.
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San Siro erupted when Diaz opened the scoring within the seventh minute, diving to nod in on the goal-line after Fraser Forster produced a superb double save to disclaim the Spaniard and Theo Hernandez.
Spurs responded nicely to that early blow, although didn’t create a clear-cut alternative till Harry Kane rattled the crossbar simply earlier than the break, however an offside flag towards Son Heung-Min meant the striker’s effort wouldn’t have counted if it had discovered the again of the online.
There was concern for Milan when goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu appeared to go over on his ankle earlier than Eric Dier was proven a yellow card that may rule him out of the second leg.
Conte launched Richarlison with 20 minutes to go earlier than Charles De Ketelaere and Malick Thiaw wasted wonderful possibilities to increase Milan’s lead with headers from shut vary.
Tottenham utilized some late strain, however lacked the standard to salvage a draw and have work to do subsequent month.
What does it imply? Benefit Milan as Spurs lack invention
This was a primary victory for Milan in a aggressive sport towards Spurs in 5 makes an attempt. having misplaced two and drawn as many of their earlier 4 conferences. That they had not defeated an English facet within the Champions League since beating Arsenal again in 2012.
It was additionally a candy victory over Conte, who had come out on high in eight of his previous 9 matches towards the Rossoneri.
Tottenham have been hammered 4-1 at Leicester Metropolis within the Premier League final Saturday and can want extra creativity so as to mount a fightback in London and attain the quarter-finals.
Diaz ends aim drought
It has been a protracted watch for a aim for Diaz, however he picked a giant sport to finish his drought.
The 23-year-old is the youngest participant to attain for Milan in a Champions League knockout sport since Kaka struck towards Deportivo La Coruna on the quarter-final stage when he was 23 years and 336 days previous in March 2024.
His aim, timed at six minutes and 24 seconds, was the quickest for Milan in a Champions League knockout sport since Ronaldinho netted after two minutes and 11 seconds towards Manchester United in February 2010.
23 – Brahim Díaz
