Antonio Conte insists it was a ‘balanced’ game with Milan decided by an error on the goal, but warns ‘this is just the first round’ for Tottenham in the Champions League.
Spurs came to San Siro with numerous injury problems and it showed, as they struggled to create genuine scoring opportunities.
They were caught out in the opening seven minutes when Theo Hernandez beat Cristian Romero to a header, then after two Fraser Forster saves, Brahim Diaz managed to bundle over the line.
“It was an intense match played on level terms, it was very balanced, our worst fault was conceding that goal after five minutes and I think we could’ve done much, much better,” Conte told Mediaset.
“From there, it was easier for Milan to play more defensive. We struggled to find space between the lines, especially with our Number 10, but I think it was a balanced encounter decided by one incident.
“We know full well the qualification is decided over two legs, so this is just the first round. We know both teams had players out injured and were in a bit of an emergency situation – ours who were out today will probably still be out for the second leg.
“All credit to Milan, because this gives them an advantage in the second game.”
It was the Rossoneri who had the best chances, Charles De Ketelaere and Malick Thiaw sending two free headers wide from close range, while Romero was fortunate to avoid a straight red card for his studs-up tackle on Sandro Tonali’s ankle straight after the restart.
Spurs were forced to start young midfielders Oliver Skipp and Pape Mata Sarr this evening and he feels their performance here was a real morale-booster.
“I think they were very positive and it was not easy for anyone to play in this atmosphere in front of 80,000 fans, who created a big old noise around the game. They could’ve been influenced negatively by that, but I am very satisfied with their response and that leaves me more reassured for the future, because for the rest of the season I think we’ve got Skipp and Sarr, plus Hojbjerg when he’s back from suspension.”
As a former Inter and Juventus coach, Conte was rather inevitably jeered by the crowd on his return to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“That’s part of the game, what fans do, so we just have to accept not an insult, but a jeer. I have never been the Milan coach, I was always their opponent at Juventus and Inter, so it’s inevitable there will be rivalry and mockery. I think it was within the right limits,” assured the Italian.
“I again want to congratulate Milan, because they did something extraordinary last season and they did it all together, including with the fans.”
that ‘one incident’ was Romero escaping a blatant red card….