IT'S A HARD DIAZ NIGHT

Conte's patched-up stars dig deep to keep hopes alive

- JOHN CROSS

ANTONIO CONTE was back to his usual self on the touchline but his Valentine's night ended in heartbreaking defeat.

Conte underwent surgery to remove a gallbladder less than two weeks ago but looked as if he was kicking and heading every ball on a torturous night in the San Siro.

It was probably out of frustration as much as anything because Tottenham played well enough to get a result but ended up losing to a very average AC Milan team.

The Italians champions have won the European Cup seven times and yet Tottenham should still feel confident of overturning a first-leg defeat.

Tottenham were patched up, missing their entire midfield and yet Champions League rookies Oliver Skipp and Pape Sarr excelled in the biggest game of their lives.

It was just the sort of reaction Conte (inset) was looking for after their 4-1 defeat at Leicester and they are still very much in this tie and in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals.