AC Milan 1-0 Spurs: Brahim Diaz’s header gives the Rossoneri a first leg lead

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan secured a memorable win under the lights of San Siro as they emerged 1-0 victors in the first leg of their round of 16 clash with Spurs.

The only goal of the game came inside the first ten minutes as Brahim Diaz converted with a diving header denying Fraser Forster an incredible goal-line save after he parried Theo Hernandez’s shot.

In truth the Rossoneri should be taking at least a two-goal lead back to north London as Charles De Ketelaere and Malick Thiaw each missed close range headers in the second half.

Nonetheless, the victory at home and another clean sheet makes it a very memorable evening for the nearly 80,000 fans at San Siro, who have witnessed a home UCL knockout win for the first time since 2013-14.

Stefano Pioli ended up naming an unchanged starting line-up compared to the win against Torino on Friday night, as Simon Kjaer got the nod in defence with Fikayo Tomori failing a late fitness test.

Milan started brightly and took the lead inside six minutes, as Brahim Diaz got his first Champions League goal of the season. Theo Hernandez beat Romero in the air and charged onto the ball in the box, firing at Forster who made an amazing save to deny Brahim’s shot from the rebound, yet he could do nothing but watch as the Spaniard converted with a diving header from close range.

A few minutes later Tottenham threatened for the first time via a free-kick from the left side. Son’s cross into area was met by Dier’s header, but Ciprian Tatarusanu caught without problems though he could have been in trouble a few yards either side.

Spurs had another free-kick three minutes later and this time from the right, with Kjaer getting to the ball first and the referee blowing his whistle for a foul on the Dane, who looked like he might have to go off with a head injury but remained on.

A sloppy giveaway inside Milan’s half from Alexis Saelemaekers gifted possession to Spurs’ right wing-back Emerson Royal, who let fly from 25 yards yet saw his effort sail straight into the arms of Tatarusanu.

Theo Hernandez had gotten the better of Romero for the goal and he gave him the run-around just over five minutes before the break too, surging around the Argentine and getting to the byline before seeing a cut-back cleared in a nick of time.

The final moment of drama before the interval came in the last minute of the first half as Son went through on goal and saw a shot saved by Tatarusanu and then Kane hit the crossbar with the rebound, though the offside flag went up meaning a goal would not have counter.

There was a big moment of controversy in the opening exchanges of the second half as Romero flew into a challenge on Tonali as he attempted to break down the left side and replays suggested it really should have been a red card as the centre-back flew in with excessive force and studs showing, yet a yellow was given.

Milan looked like they might have to bring on third-choice goalkeeper Antonio Mirante when Tatarusanu was bumped after claiming a cross and rolled his ankle in the process, but the Romanian managed to play through the next few minutes of pain.

Spurs continued to put the pressure on and try force an equaliser that would make their prospects for the second leg better, but Richarlison saw a shot blocked inside the area and Sarr shot straight at Tatarusanu from distance as the clock ticked past 75 minutes.

Pioli decided to make a double change to try and inject some fresh legs to proceedings and both were in attack, with Charles De Ketelaere and Junior Messias coming on for the goal scorer Brahim Diaz and Saelemaekers.

De Ketelaere had a huge chance to make it 2-0 on the night when Giroud won a header that found De Ketelaere in behind, though his downward header was just about deflected behind for a corner.

Moments later it really should have been a two-goal lead as another perfect cross from Leao on the left was met firmly by the head of Thiaw at the far post yet somehow landed wide as he headed it back across goal from a few yards out.

With five minutes left on the clock another change was made by Pioli, as Tonali came off having been booked with Tommaso Pobega replacing him in midfield.

Spurs remained camped in Milan’s half while the Rossoneri aimed to get a second goal on the break, and Leao perhaps should have done better when found in behind by a low cross from Giroud that he couldn’t quite trap.

That would be the Portuguese winger’s last action of the game as he was withdrawn for Ante Rebic in the first minute of added time. The remaining few minutes of action passed without danger to round off a very organised and professional performance from the Rossoneri.

Tags AC Milan Milan Tottenham

32 Comments

  1. We defended very well. Against Tottenham who scored most set pieces situation in EPL, we did flawless. Thiaw was a beast. Kjaer showed his experience. Kalulu covered very well. CdK.. Well, how many chances he should miss before scoring one? Should’ve been more than 1-0 against this seems to be a weaker side of Spurs. All in all, this is a great boost, much needed one.

    1. We should have had at least one more, between the CDK chance, the Thiaw header and Leao’s run through the middle of the defense on the Giroud pass. Too bad. That said, well done. We didn’t get embarrassed by a weakened Tottenham.

  2. Let’s hear how Kjaer is too old, slow and finished in every possible way, right? 🙂 Funny how he kept the 3rd best all-time EPL goal scorer quiet like a little school boy in Sunday church.

    Also funny how people say all Italians dive and there is no diving in EPL. Yet Kane & Richarlison spent more time doing ballet than playing football. Oh well, as long as “it’s coming home!!!” right, Redknapp? LOL 😀 😀 😀

    1. Yes, Kjaer did well, but Tottenham did not have a midfield. They had no real build up play that could disrupt our defensive line. Unlike us, had they had the chances that CDK, Thiaw and Leao had they may well have scored three goals. And before sounding off on Redknapp remember that there is a second leg and it’s away. But don’t get me wrong, I think we did well and I’m happy for the win.👍

      1. WTF are you talking about Tottenham doesn’t have a midfield lmao.

        They have Perisic, Emerson, Matar Star, and Skipp which are really good. If you think Krunic, Pobega, Tonali, Bennacer, or Alexis are much better than them you’re nuts.

  3. Wow what a defensive masterclass from the boys tonight, Thiaw is a must sign, what an absolute beast. All in all, we should’ve taken our chances Charles very unlucky not to score same with Thiaw. But a hell of a performance from the youngster.

    1. thiaw has already been signed for 7 mil. vranx is on a loan with a buyout clause set around 10-12 mil.. I agree De Ketelaere is very unlucky and has been that for a long time but a lot of his bad is not down to him,self
      Considering our means compared to tottenhams or any other epl team we performed great,

    2. Yep. Thiaw’s emergence may be the best thing that comes out of this season (aside from finishing 4th). Hopefully Pioli continues to show faith in him.

      1. finishing fourth ? last time i checked we are 3 points from the 2nd place so we have a great opportunity to do better than 4rth place regardless of recent form.

  4. Too bas missing chances.

    Leao can’t play striker position. Giroud can play everything. Chance to sell Leao and bring other players and start play 3 5 2 similar to Inter.

    Salemaekers on position RWB – TOP. THEO TOP. De Ketelaere still lost.

    Thiaw MAGNIFICENT

  5. Aside from the lucky goal

    1. Diaz still a headless chicken
    2. Tonali back to his poor first season performance at milan
    3. Krunic is just krunic nothing to be expected

    The match won by milan defense

    1. He kicked it straight at Forster the first time and got lucky for a second rebound, but now everyone will praise and want to buy him outright. 🙄

    2. Still prefer a headless chicken who can produce real goals and assists than a headed chicken who has nothing but a potential all over his numbers.

      1. This 🤝

        It’s crazy some of these wanker still mocking Diaz after he scored multiple important goals that brought win for Milan.

  6. Courageous performance by everyone. They played with heart. My favorite part was watching Kjaer and Thiaw bully Harry Kane. You don’t see that very often.

  7. Good to have a win against Flopenham.

    About time Diaz ACTUALLY did something.

    England’s captain just got pocketed by a 34yo with ACL issues. Well done Kjær.

    Thiaw with a great performance, MoTM.

    Mike,Benn and Fik should be back for the next leg.

    Would of loved 1 more goal,but Forza Milan!

      1. Yes, it’s quite a risk, both for him and for the team. The defender trio we had this couple of matches are just starting to blend in. 3 of ’em share different characteristics which are complementing each other.

        We can start to introduce Fik back once this ‘new system’ starts to kick in.

    1. Before this goal, Diaz already scored 4 goals and 2 assist. He could get more assist if Giroud didn’t wasted a lot of his pass.

    1. If something is certain, it is that this 1-0 will NOT be enough. CDK or Thiaw REALLY should have hit the net. No this score just made Spurs angry for the second leg.

  8. The team was almost impeccable defensively. I wish we scored that second goal. Hope to have Tomori, Mike and Bennacer fully fit before the second leg so we can qualify. Forza Milan!

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