Uninspired 10-man Tottenham crash out of Champions League

Tottenham's Son Heung-min, left, and AC Milan's Rafael Leao in action during a Champions League round of 16 second leg match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night after losing on aggregate to Milan in a tepid and uninspiring round of 16 clash.

There was very little to get excited about in the second leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London as a highly predictable Spurs failed to do anything to break through a Milan side that really only had to fly to London and hold their positions to earn a place in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg created the one — really the only one — opportunity that could have counted, running across the goalmouth in the 65th minute and hammering in a shot that Mike Maignan could only just tip over the bar.

Instead, Spurs fans were left to watch on in dismay as the home side went down to 10 men in the 78th minute, Cristian Romero shown a second yellow for yet another clumsy foul, leaving Spurs to hold on for the last 20 minutes with 10 men and that goal conceded in Italy last month hanging over them.

The loss, 0-0 on the night and 1-0 on aggregate, knocks Spurs out of the Champions League, leaving them with no more cup football this season.

Not a single Tottenham player made a good showing on Wednesday except perhaps Fraser Forster, who kept the game goalless with very little support from the rest of the squad.

Son Heung-min, Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski, Ivan Perisic and Richarlison were all unable to create any opportunities in an emphatically disappointing for the Tottenham offensive line. Pedro Porro, surprisingly, did a bit better, at least bringing some energy to the squad when he came on in the second half.

Romero, however, is a serious concern. Since returning from the World Cup the Argentinian defender has picked up nine yellow cards and two reds and is increasingly looking like a liability in the lineup.

The normally verbose Antonio Conte, back on the touchline for the first time after recovering from surgery over the last month, had little to say to defend Tottenham’s performance.

"That is the third game in a row that we were not able to score,” Conte told BBC Sport. “I think the game was in the balance. I think we can do much better offensively. I speak about the whole team not only those who play in the front half. We can do much better.”

Conte refused to comment on his own future at the club, a growing question as fans during the game were vocally calling for his departure and the return of former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

“I'm really sorry for the fans but we cannot invent the win. It's important to know this. Hope for a miracle to find a trophy. We have to build step by step.

“Today is not the day to speak about my future. I have a contract until the end of the season and Tottenham know very well my thoughts and at the end of the season we will speak.”

Spurs will be back in action on Saturday as they take on Nottingham Forest in the Champions League.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]