UCL: Brahim Diaz's Goal Helps AC Milan Beat Tottenham Hotspur In Last-16 Encounter

It was Milan's first knockout fixture at the European elites stage since the 2013-2014 season, as they entered the San Siro stadium without Mike Maignan, Ismael Bennacer and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

AC Milan's Spanish midfielder Brahim Diaz (C) celebrates with AC Milan's French defender Theo Hernandez after opening the scoring during the UEFA Champions League round of 16, first leg football match between AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur on February 14, 2023 at the San Siro stadium in Milan.

Source : AFP

Rome (Italy): AC Milan registered a morale-boosting victory, as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, with Brahim Diaz's early strike proving decisive.

It was Milan's first knockout fixture at the European elites stage since the 2013-2014 season, as they entered the San Siro stadium without Mike Maignan, Ismael Bennacer and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Spurs also had a long list of absentees, as they lost Hugo Lloris and Rodrigo Bentancur due to injury, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg suspended.

Milan had a poor domestic form since the start of 2023, but made short work of Italian tactician Antonio Conte's Spurs, as they scored the solo goal just seven minutes into the game when Fraser Forster denied Theo Hernandez at the near post and made a save on Diaz's rebound, but could do nothing to the Spaniard's follow-up, a Xinhua report said.

On Tuesday night, the Rossoneri remained firm after going ahead and held onto their 1-0 lead, while Tottenham's trump card Harry Kane was under the constant watch of Simon Kjaer.

The return leg will be held on March 8 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was a pity to concede a goal after five minutes: Antonio Conte

"I know the San Siro and I know the difficulty to play with this atmosphere," said AC Milan manager Antonio Conte after the match.

"In the second game, we have to play at our stadium and our fans will create the atmosphere to help us overcome the Milan obstacle."

"I think it was a battle from the start until the end.

"I think both teams played the game with high intensity and a lot of pressure. It was difficult for us to play, it was difficult for them to play," the 53-year-old in his press conference.|

"It was a pity to concede a goal after five minutes, because I think in this specific situation, we could do much better," he stated.

Meanwhile, Diaz became the youngtest player to score for AC Milan in a Champions League knockout game since Kaka in March 2004 which would reaffirm the faith of Stefano Pioli on the youngster.

(With Inputs from IANS)