Brahim gives Milan an advantage against a Tottenham without 'gunpowder'

Brahim gives Milan an advantage against a Tottenham without 'gunpowder'

MADRID, 14 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Italian AC Milan took the lead in their 2022-2023 Champions League round of 16 tie by beating English Tottenham 1-0 at the San Siro on Tuesday, thanks to an early goal from Spanish Brahim Díaz.

The goal from the midfielder from Malaga decided the duel in favor of the 'rossoneri', who were not at their best moment, but who did not experience too many stresses against the 'Spurs', who took their toll on their poor game at an offensive level, practically no opportunities.

The Serie A champion took advantage of his good start to score the goal he will have to defend in London. Theo Hernandez beat 'Cuti' Romero above and stood up to Forster, who stopped his first shot and even had excellent reflexes to avoid Brahim's later shot. The third, a header over the Spanish line, made it 1-0 after seven minutes.

However, the goal did not vary too much nor did it shake up the match. Little by little, Antonio Conte's men took control, but they lacked more 'punch' in the final meters, with Kane and Son well controlled, although the English striker could have been the target of a penalty after a blow with the arm of Kjaer that neither the referee nor the VAR considered punishable.

The 'Spurs' pressed without much success, while Milan, despite the attempts on the left by Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez, did not cause too much fear in a game that did not change after passing through the changing rooms.

The chances barely appeared at the San Siro and Antonio Conte waited for the final stretch to bring in the Brazilian Richarlison, whose entry did not have the expected effect given the good order of the Milan team, who managed to defend his booty.

In a gray second 45 minutes, the best options were for the seven-time European champion, who enjoyed two good warnings through Thiaw and De Ketelaere, who also did not wake up the London team, which did not risk too much hoping for better luck and a better game in the turn.

--RESULT: AC MILAN, 1 - TOTTENHAM, 0 (1-0, at halftime).

AC MILAN: Tatarusanu; Thiaw, Kalulu, Kjaer, Theo Hernandez; Saelemaekers (Junior Messias, min.77), Krunic, Tonali (Pobega, min.86); Brahim (De Ketelaere, min.77), Giroud y Rafael Leao (Rebic, min.91).

TOTTENHAM: Forster; Romero, Dier, Lenglet (Davies, min.81); Emerson, Sipp, Sarr, Perisic; Kulusevski (Richarlison, min.70), Kane y Son (Danjuma, min.81).

1-0, minute 7. Brahim Diaz.

--REFEREE: Sandro Schaerer (SUI). He admonished Tonali (min.80) and Theo Hernandez (min.93), for Milan, and Romero (min.48) and Dier (min.63), for Tottenham.

--STADIUM: San Siro.