Antonio Conte backs Tottenham’s home support to help them ‘overcome’ 1-0 Champions League deficit

Antonio Conte vowed to be back to his best by the time Tottenham welcome AC Milan to north London, looking to overturn last night’s 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

Conte returned to the San Siro last night against doctor’s orders, less than two weeks after having surgery to remove his gallbladder, and saw his side beaten by Brahim Diaz’s early goal.

‘It was a battle and, from the start until the end, we played a game with high intensity. It was difficult to play for us and them,’ Conte said.

‘We are talking about the first game, there are two games, I hope and I’m sure in the second game, in our stadium, I know our fans will create an important atmosphere to push us to overcome Milan.’

Conte was told to rest for two weeks following surgery and has been unable to shout properly.

Antonio Conte (pictured) vowed to be back to his best by the time Tottenham welcome AC Milan to north London

Injuries and suspension meant Spurs had only two available centre midfielders – Oliver Skipp (above), 22, and Pape Matar Sarr, 20

He was nevertheless on the touchline last night, still not quite 100 per cent.

But, with the second leg three weeks away, he said: ‘The next game, I will be fit and I will try to give my contribution.’

Conte missed Tottenham’s win over Manchester City following his operation but returned for their defeat by Leicester.

‘In the previous match (against City) I was completely out, I have just had surgery and after two days, my doctor said you can’t go,’ he revealed.

‘I was wearing a medical device in that period but I was able to interact with my team.’

Spurs enjoyed more of the ball and more shots last night but struggled to create any clear-cut openings.

They could have been further behind by the end, had either Malick Thiaw or substitute Charles De Ketelaere taken late headed chances.

In the end, the game was settled by Diaz after Cristian Romero was beaten by Theo Hernandez and Fraser Forster made two fine saves.

‘It was a pity to concede a goal after five minutes but in this specific situation we could do much better,’ Conte said

‘I’m really happy for the performance from Skippy and Sarr,’ Conte said

‘We tried and when you play against Milan, you have to pay attention when you attack… if they have space they can kill you.’

Injuries and suspension meant Spurs had only two available centre midfielders – Oliver Skipp, 22, and Pape Matar Sarr, 20.

But both held their own, with Sarr especially impressive on his Champions League debut.

‘I’m really happy for the performance from Skippy and Sarr,’ Conte said. ‘Honestly to play in this way in the Champions League, to play in San Siro with this atmosphere, I think was normally tough for important players and they played a really good game.

‘I’m really happy, this type of performance makes me more relaxed for the future because we had to consider that we could finish the season with only three midfielders (Sarr, Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg)… I know I can count on these players 100 per cent.’

Conte led Inter to the Serie A title before leaving 18 months ago. He did not rule out possibly returning to Italy in the future, insisting: ‘I prefer to live in the present… but as you know as an Italian man, as a former Italy coach, Italy is in my heart and will always stay there so I will never exclude the idea.’