Tottenham manager Antonio Conte says the performances of Pape Matar Sarr and Oliver Skipp against AC Milan gives him hope for the rest of the season.
Sarr and Skipp were handed their first starts in the Champions League with Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma injured and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg suspended, and both produced standout displays despite defeat in Italy.
"I'm really happy about the performance from Skippy and Pape Matar Sarr," Conte told reporters. "Honestly, to play this way in the Champions League and in the San Siro in this atmosphere, normally it's difficult for important players.
"These type of performances makes me more relaxed for the future. We can finish the season with only three midfielders and I know that I can count on these players 100 per cent."
Spurs must now beat Milan back in north London in next month's last-16 second leg, and Conte remains upbeat over his side's chances.
He told BT Sport: "For qualification you have to play two games. It is the first game away and the atmosphere was fantastic. I know the San Siro and I know the difficulty to play with this atmosphere.
"In the second game we have to play at our stadium and our fans will create the atmosphere to help us overcome the Milan obstacle."
