Tottenham Hotspur put forth a brave and professional display in Milan to beat an ill-tempered AC Milan 1–0 in Tuesday’s Champions League knockout stage opening match.
Peter Crouch scored the game’s only goal after a brilliant run by Aaron Lennon in the 78th minute. Lennon took the ball nearly two-thirds of the field, skipped over Milan defender Mario Yepes and squared the ball over to Crouch who only had to pass the ball into a wide open net.
It was a counterattacking move that showed Tottenham’s speed was superior to Milan’s supposed veteran defense; it was a classic away goal in European competition.
The English club was well and truly the better team as the Italians were unable to penetrate Spurs’ defense led by heroic goalkeeper Gomes. Gomes made a couple of terrific saves to prevent certain goals off Milan headers.
The main talking points about the match will be Gennaro Gattuso completely losing his head and Mathieu Flamini’s horrible two-footed lunge on Tottenham’s Vedran Corluka that deserved a sending off. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp called it an “absolute disgrace.” Flamini escaped with a yellow card.
Gattuso has always been a pitbull in the Milan midfield but on this night, he was off his game, engaging in personal wars with a few members of Spurs’ squad including Crouch and trainer Joe Jordan after the match. Gattuso picked up a yellow card and will miss the second leg.
Spurs began brightly, taking the game to the home side. Starting keeper Christian Abbiati was stretchered off after a quarter of an hour after a head injury. On came Marco Amelia who had a respectable game.
After a scoreless first half, Milan started to make more of an impact. Largely anonymous were key players Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Credit Tottenham’s Michael Dawson for his defending as Spurs did an effective job of shutting down Milan’s attacks.
Young Brazilian striker Pato was unable to make much of an impression against a speedy Spurs side and ultimately, it was that speed that got the visitors their goal.
Ibrahimovic thought he tied the game in extra time with a quasi-bicycle kick goal but he fouled Dawson to give himself room for his kick.
The second leg will be played in London at White Hart Lane on Mar. 9. Tottenham will maintain that much is still left to be done, however, it would take a near Milan miracle to overturn the deficit. Spurs have won all three of their previous Champions League home games, scoring 10 goals and conceding only 2.
Spurs got the great result without their European superhero, highly coveted left-sided midfielder Gareth Bale.
Milan, currently first place in Italy, have not beaten an English team in their last six European encounters.
Peter Crouch scored the game’s only goal after a brilliant run by Aaron Lennon in the 78th minute. Lennon took the ball nearly two-thirds of the field, skipped over Milan defender Mario Yepes and squared the ball over to Crouch who only had to pass the ball into a wide open net.
It was a counterattacking move that showed Tottenham’s speed was superior to Milan’s supposed veteran defense; it was a classic away goal in European competition.
The English club was well and truly the better team as the Italians were unable to penetrate Spurs’ defense led by heroic goalkeeper Gomes. Gomes made a couple of terrific saves to prevent certain goals off Milan headers.
The main talking points about the match will be Gennaro Gattuso completely losing his head and Mathieu Flamini’s horrible two-footed lunge on Tottenham’s Vedran Corluka that deserved a sending off. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp called it an “absolute disgrace.” Flamini escaped with a yellow card.
Gattuso has always been a pitbull in the Milan midfield but on this night, he was off his game, engaging in personal wars with a few members of Spurs’ squad including Crouch and trainer Joe Jordan after the match. Gattuso picked up a yellow card and will miss the second leg.
Spurs began brightly, taking the game to the home side. Starting keeper Christian Abbiati was stretchered off after a quarter of an hour after a head injury. On came Marco Amelia who had a respectable game.
After a scoreless first half, Milan started to make more of an impact. Largely anonymous were key players Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Credit Tottenham’s Michael Dawson for his defending as Spurs did an effective job of shutting down Milan’s attacks.
Young Brazilian striker Pato was unable to make much of an impression against a speedy Spurs side and ultimately, it was that speed that got the visitors their goal.
Ibrahimovic thought he tied the game in extra time with a quasi-bicycle kick goal but he fouled Dawson to give himself room for his kick.
The second leg will be played in London at White Hart Lane on Mar. 9. Tottenham will maintain that much is still left to be done, however, it would take a near Milan miracle to overturn the deficit. Spurs have won all three of their previous Champions League home games, scoring 10 goals and conceding only 2.
Spurs got the great result without their European superhero, highly coveted left-sided midfielder Gareth Bale.
Milan, currently first place in Italy, have not beaten an English team in their last six European encounters.
