AC Milan Knocks Tottenham Out of Champions League in Disappointing Night for Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte’s return to the Tottenham dugout was not a happy one as his team was knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan. The game ended in a goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Cristian Romero being sent off late in the match.
Conte had previously made a comeback but overestimated his recovery from gallbladder surgery earlier this year. Wednesday night’s game saw him make a full return, but Spurs were unable to utilise his expertise and progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Argentine defender Romero struggled, picking up an early yellow card for a rash challenge on Rafael Leao. Matters would be made worse late on in the second half when he was given his marching orders for a second yellow card after his hefty tackle on Theo Hernandez.
Spurs were loudly booed at half time after an uninspiring first half, and the home crowd made the same feelings known at the end too. Conte’s decision to bring on defender Davinson Sanchez late on as Spurs searched for a crucial goal was also met with boos from the fans.
Romero’s sending off was the most notable event of a night that was lacking in quality in the final third. Junior Messias’ spurned effort from a well-worked free-kick routine in the first half was the closest either side came to scoring, before Harry Kane’s header in the latter stages.
Neither side were convincing on the night, but Milan’s efforts from the first leg have secured their spot in the quarter-finals. The result means Spurs’ wait for their first trophy since 2008 will have to go on even longer.
