They were thrust into the spotlight at one of football's most iconic venues against the seven-time European champions, but a young Tottenham midfield duo showed there was hope amid the gloom of defeat in Milan for Antonio Conte's side.
Injuries to Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's suspension, meant Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr were handed their first Champions League starts for Spurs at the San Siro.
And while the Premier League side may have suffered a 1-0 loss against reigning Serie A champions AC Milan, Skipp and Sarr justified their manager's praise and gave Spurs belief they can overcome that deficit in the second leg on 8 March.