A seventh minute goal by Brahim Diaz means Tottenham will have to produce a Champions League comeback as AC Milan got a narrow win in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the San Siro.
Antonio Conte’s side looked relatively comfortable for long periods of the contest against the seven-time European champions – as a youthful pairing of Pape Sarr and Oliver Skipp deputised ably for the suspended Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and the injured Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield but Brahim Diaz’s effort put them in the backseat ahead of the return leg in London on Wednesday, 8 March.
Senegal international Sarr underlined the maturity of his display by having more touches (76) and playing more passes (59) than any other player on the pitch.
The 20 year-old Sarr also defended doggedly throughout, while Skipp, who was helping Norwich win the Championship two seasons ago, was not far behind and looked at ease in front of 74,320 fans in a high-pressure atmosphere.
Diaz nodded in early on after Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster had saved a Theo Hernandez shot and then superbly got a hand on the scorer’s initial follow-up attempt.
In the end, Spurs were grateful for the profligacy of the hosts as Belgian midfielder Charles de Ketelaere and German defender Malick Thiaw both headed excellent opportunities – to put the Italian side firmly in control of the tie – wide.
As it is, Spurs must try to turn the tie round without Dier, who will be suspended after he collected a second-half booking.