Milan advance by beating Tottenham 0-0 in London

LONDON (AP) — Milan’s Champions League credentials have hardly been questioned by Tottenham. The seven-time continental champion team qualified for the quarter-finals.

And the Italian champions still have a chance of winning European football’s biggest prize, which they haven’t won since 2007. On the other hand, Spurs’ trophy drought will continue.

Milan advanced on Wednesday, having snatched a goalless draw against locals Tottenham, who were left with 10 men.

A Brahim Díaz shot in the first leg of the round of 16 was enough to decide the series, despite the return of manager Antonio Conte, who failed to inspire a Spurs comeback.

“It’s the third game in a row that we haven’t been able to score,” lamented Conte. “I think we can do much better in attack. I’m talking about the whole team and not just those who play forward. We can do much better.”

Milan didn’t have many problems in the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Argentine Cristian Romero was shown a red card in the second half.

A header from Harry Kane in the 94th minute represented the clearest approach for the hosts in their bid to level the aggregate score. And in a thrilling finale, Divock Origin, who replaced Milan, shook the post with a shot.

Conte returned to the Spurs bench after spending two-and-a-half weeks in Turin recovering from gallbladder surgery.

However, he could only watch how his team couldn’t get past the Italian champions’ goal. And so Tottenham’s 15-year wait to win a trophy continues.

His last coronation dates back to 2008, in the Coupe de la Ligue.

Tottenham now only have to fight for a place in the top four of the English Premier League, which would pave the way back to the Champions League.

Milan, meanwhile, can dream of an eighth title in the tournament of the best clubs in Europe.

Only Real Madrid have won this tournament more times than Milan.

Few expected the team led by Stefano Pioli to end this drought this season. However, they head to the round of 16 after an impeccable defensive performance against a Tottenham out of ideas.

Although there were clashes at the end, the rest of the duel passed with few chances for either of the two rivals.

Tottenham came into the game after suffering heavy defeats to Second Division Sheffield United in the FA Cup and Wolverhampton in the Premier League.

Although Conte’s return boosted the morale of the players, it was hardly reflected on the pitch.