Arrigo Sacchi believes that AC Milan emerged victorious against Spurs last night through a team effort where everyone played their part.
Milan won their first home Champions League knockout stage game since almost a decade ago – when they beat Barcelona 2-0 – by recording a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at San Siro last night, setting up a fascinating second leg.
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.
Sacchi spoke in his usual post-match column for La Gazzetta dello Sport and reflected on another win at San Siro and another much-needed clean sheet after the victory on Friday over Torino, with his comments relayed by PianetaMilan.
How much does this win mean to Milan? “A lot, a lot. Brahim Díaz’s goal at the start gave everyone courage. Milan needed an evening like this. I’ve seen generosity from everyone, I’ve seen collaboration, I’ve seen aggression, I’ve even seen ferocity.
“For example, on the occasion of Brahim Díaz’s goal: he wanted to throw the ball in, and in the end he did it. When a team gives everything, puts all its energy on the pitch, it’s already a winning team.”
Did Milan recover compactness, attention and organisation? “Milan were lost, now I hope that this success can help ensure that they find themselves quickly. In defence they were very good, always well protected by the midfield barrage formed by Sandro Tonali and Rade Krunić and by the constant help of the forwards.”
What kind of a night did Giroud have? “This is the demonstration that there was the right spirit on the pitch. Everyone helped each other, everyone gave their soul and in the end there was victory. A victory, I say to avoid misunderstandings, deserved. So much so that Milan had the best chances for a double and not Tottenham for a draw.”
Malick Thiaw had a memorable night: “He played an excellent game. He often found himself in one-on-one and didn’t give up a yard to his opponent. I repeat: I liked the general attitude of the team who played courageously, although aware that they are going through a rather difficult moment.
“Well, if I really have to find a fault, I say that sometimes it was necessary to look more insistently for counter-attacks. Always move vertically and compact to help pressing: these are the secrets that made Milan great last season and now we need to rediscover those mechanisms.”
Rafael Leao also had an impact: “Yes, he created several shots and in this way he put the Tottenham defence in difficulty. It also seems to me that he gave everything he had in his body. Stefano Pioli can be satisfied with how his boys responded on the pitch. The spirit was there. Now it’s time to sort out some details.”
The duel between Simon Kjær and Harry Kane was fascinating to watch: “We are in full agreement. An all-out fight and Kjær, in the long run, won it. He looked for an advance, he had the wisdom to stall, he fought with his head, he conceded very little to a great centre-forward like Kane.”
Would it be fair Spurs were disappointing? “Let’s say they didn’t seem like a top team to me. Several players were missing, it’s true, but I didn’t see the usual game, the usual mechanisms. I don’t think Antonio Conte can be totally satisfied with the performance, even if there’s a second leg to fix it.
“We can expect a completely different Tottenham in the second leg and then Milan will have to pay even more attention. Defensive compactness and immediate counter-attacks, that’s what I expect Milan to do in England. The elements for this type of game, starting with Leao, are certainly not lacking. The important thing is that there is this team spirit.”
