Milan never really looked as if their 1-0 first leg lead was in danger against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, especially after Cristian Romero saw red, as they reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2012.
The Rossoneri came to London with a 1-0 first leg lead thanks to the Brahim Diaz goal. The Spaniard shook off a slight sprain to start and Olivier Giroud had fully recovered from flu, while Rafael Leao and Rade Krunic were well rested after missing the 2-1 Serie A defeat to Fiorentina through suspension. Spurs missed Hugo Lloris, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ryan Sessegnon, Yves Bissouma and banned Eric Dier, but Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg was back from suspension. Antonio Conte returned to the bench for the first time since February 14 at San Siro, after doctors ordered he take time off to fully recover from gallbladder surgery.
Kick-off was postponed by 10 minutes after both teams were caught in London traffic. Junior Messias fired wide across the face of goal after a smart Milan free kick routine, while Cristian Romero and Clement Lenglet were booked early on, so would be suspended for the next game.
Son Heung-min’s effort was deflected for a corner and Messias had a wild attempt a long way off target, so when Harry Kane did force a save from Mike Maignan at the near post, it was on a deflected pass towards Ivan Perisic.
Stefano Pioli’s men were remarkably comfortable in the first half and a few Spurs fans booed going into the break. It was Milan who created a genuine chance first, Brahim Diaz forcing a desperate save out of Fraser Forster from close range on the Messias assist.
Messias went off with a thigh twinge, while Hojbjerg stung Maignan’s gloves at the near post after squirming through a crowd of players.
Brahim Diaz laid it off for Leao for a half-hearted effort charged down Leao attempt, then Giroud tested Forster before Kane’s very low diving header went wide.
Leao and Pedro Porro blasted well over, but just as Tottenham were putting together a series of corners, ex-Atalanta defender Romero received his second yellow card for hacking down Theo Hernandez at the touchline. Romero had already been fortunate to avoid a dismissal in the first leg.
Davinson Sanchez went down acrobatically under pressure from Theo Hernandez, on the counter Tonali’s attempt was charged down and Ismael Bennacer saw his long-range daisy-cutter smothered.
The only genuine scare Milan had was deep into stoppages, when Kane’s header on a Son free kick was palmed off the line by Maignan. The Rossoneri went on the counter from that move and Divock Origi thumped the base of the far upright.
Tottenham 0-0 Milan (0-1 agg)
Sent off: Romero 77 (T)
Player statistic
Cristian Romero | 17' | |||
Clément Lenglet | 21' |
Cristian Romero | 78' | |||
Oliver Skipp | 90+5' | |||
90+3' | Malick Thiaw |