BBC pundit delivers emphatic Pape Matar Sarr verdict in Tottenham first half v Milan

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr earned praise from BBC Sport pundit Pat Nevin in the first half of Spurs’ Champions League clash with AC Milan.

Tottenham went into the last-16 game without three of their main midfielders, due to injury and suspension.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are both injured, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was suspended for the trip to Milan.

This led to Spurs boss Antonio Conte naming a central midfield duo of Sarr and Oliver Skipp.

Ahead of the match, there were fears that the duo’s relative lack of experience could’ve seen them struggle against Milan.

However, both Sarr and Skipp gave good accounts of themselves in the first half.

Sarr was particularly impressive, showing great composure on the ball and delivering some well-timed challenges.

Nevin liked what he saw from the 20-year-old, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “Sarr is coming into the game much more.

“He is a big physical lad and there is good intelligence about him.

“I thought he might have been overwhelmed tonight, doesn’t look like it.”

Tottenham trailed 1-0 at the break, Brahim Diaz opening the scoring after just seven minutes.

The Spain international headed in on the rebound after a stunning save from Spurs deputy goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Antonio Conte’s charges improved as the game went on, but sadly couldn’t force an equaliser come full time.

Nonetheless, Tottenham will have seen enough to feel confident about getting a result in North London in the second leg.

‘Standout display’

As for Sarr, he impressed in the second half too. Indeed, he was one of the best players for Spurs.

So much for fears about the player’s inexperience. Once again, he showed he has what it takes to shine at the highest level.

The Evening Standard gave him 8 out of 10 and wrote: ‘His composure and crisp passes were impressive in a standout display on his Champions League debut.’

So far so good for Sarr. Hopefully the next few weeks and months will see him establish himself as a first-teamer at Spurs.

Even if that’s not the case just yet, it shouldn’t be long until the outstanding talent gets a rise on his £20,000-a-week salary.