Tottenham have lost another player for remaining season after Milan defeat after Conte hit
After Tottenham’s loss at AC Milan, Antonio Conte appeared to indicate that Yves Bissouma’s ankle injury could keep him out until the end of the season.
Former Manchester City youth Brahim Diaz scored the game’s only goal with a close-range header in the seventh minute as Spurs fell 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League match.
Tottenham were without Bissouma, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was suspended, and Rodrigo Bentancur, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the weekend loss at Leicester and will miss the remainder of the season.
Young midfielders Oliver Skipp, 22, and Pape Sarr, 20, performed admirably after being inserted into the starting lineup in Milan, but in praising them, Conte implied that Bissouma may miss the remainder of the season.
“I am really satisfied for both players because they played a really good game and they showed the trust that we have in them and they repaid it,” Conte told BT Sport.
“Don’t forget now we have just three midfielders and we have to continue with them maybe until the end of the season.
“The performance from Sarr and Skipp makes me more relaxed because I know I can count on them 100 per cent and we have Pierre Emile Hojbjerg who is a key player.”
Initially, it was believed that former Brighton midfielder Bissouma would be sidelined for seven to eight weeks, but Conte’s assessment casts doubt on that prognosis.
Regarding the game itself, the Italian added, “I think it was better today and high intensity and I think we played against a good team and don’t forget Milan last season won the league in Italy.
“I think that to concede the first goal we can do much better. Instead we concede a goal after maybe only five minutes. Then we try to lead the game and create a situation to score but I think Milan defender very well. We created the chances to score but in the end we are talking about a defeat, a loss.”
Skipp, meanwhile, was pleased with his own display although disappointed with the result.
“I enjoyed every minute of it, not the result we wanted but there is a second leg to come and we are right in the game so we will take the positives,” he said.
“Nice to make my debut, from the start anyway, playing in the Champions League is what you dream of as a kid.
“It wasn’t the best start. I think after 10 minutes, it was a goal we didn’t need to concede. Neither side created too many chances I feel, but there’s a second leg and something to come back from.”
Tottenham have lost another player for remaining season after Milan defeat after Conte hit
