Alibi Antonio Conte For Tottenham Hotspur's Defeat In The First Leg Of The Champions League Last 16, Bring- Bring AC Milan Last Season

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte. (Photo: Twitter.com/@SpursOfficial)

JAKARTA - The defeat of Tottenham Hotspur to AC Milan made Antonio Conte unable to sleep well. The Italian manager revealed several reasons including his alibi about Milan's title last season.

The meeting between Milan and Spurs for the first leg of the Champions League Last 16 took place at the San Siro Stadium on Wednesday, February 15 in the morning WIB. This duel ended with a 1-0 win for the hosts.

The single goal that determines the Rossoneri's victory was scored by Brahim Diaz when the game had only been running for seven minutes. With the remaining time available, in fact Spurs failed to equalize.

Based on statistical records on the official UEFA website, the host's performance was quite effective with four on-target opportunities where one of them resulted in a goal. Meanwhile Antonio Conte's men only recorded three shots on target which failed to become goals.

For Conte, Harry Kane et al should have been able to play better. But he realized that playing in front of Milan supporters was quite difficult.

"Moreover, Stefano Pioli's team is the holder of the domestic title last season," Conte said.

I expect another difficult game in the second leg. We should have done better for their goals," Conte was quoted as saying on UEFA's official website, Wednesday, February 15.

"Then it was a fight in front of a difficult atmosphere. Don't forget, Milan won the league last year and we didn't," he continued.

The defeat in the first leg made the Lilywhites' steps even tougher when they played the second leg later. Because in the match on March 9, Spurs must win by at least two goals to qualify automatically for the quarter-finals.