Milan eliminates unimaginative Spurs in eighth finals of Champions League

AC Milan have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur. After winning at home (1-0), the Italians needed a draw against the Spurs (0-0) in London tonight.

It is the first time in 11 years that Milan has qualified for the quarter-finals of the highest European soccer tournament. Dutch international Arnaut Danjuma remained on the bench at Tottenham throughout the match.

Tottenham and Milan continued the line of the previous game in the first half. The soccer was not to be savoured, although the game undulated up and down. Both teams were too sloppy to hurt each other. Milan could live with that, given the starting position.

The Italians still got the biggest chance. Right-back Messias Junior shot wide from a promising position. Tottenham got no further than shots from distance. When referee Clément Turpin whistled for halftime, the home side was treated to a whistling concert.

The crowd’s grumbling did not cause Spurs to play better soccer in the second half. Just after halftime, Milan had a chance through Brahim Diaz. His effort was excellently turned by goalkeeper Fraser Forster, the replacement for the injured Hugo Lloris.

A vicious shot by Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg seemed to give London some courage, but after this chance the English fell back into the old game. And then Spurs defender Christian Romero also received his second yellow card, forcing him to retire.

Meanwhile, Milan did create some great chances, through Diaz and Rafael Leão, among others. However, the forward’s crosshairs were not sharp, keeping Tottenham alive.

Despite the unimaginative play, the Spurs had another great chance in injury time. A header by Harry Kane was turned away by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.