Tottenham's 2-1 loss to Juventus (3-2 on aggregate) is a tough one for me to swallow. Ever since the day my mother returned from a business trip to Italy with a brand new red and black AC Milan Paolo Maldini kit, I've been a loyal follower of the Rossoneri. So anytime the Old Lady takes the pitch, it's safe to say I'm rooting against her.

Last summer, as part of the International Champions Cup, I was lucky enough to watch Tottenham take on Paris Saint Germain, pre-Neymar. Immediately, I was drawn to the of the North London side and their world-beating striker, Harry Kane.

Surprisingly enough, the crowd of over 35,000-plus were predominately Spurs' fans. With chants like, "Harry Kane, he's one of our own," and "Dele Alli, we want Dele," I couldn't help but get swept up in Hotspur mania.

Right then and there I decided Tottenham would be my EPL club -- and as long as they weren't facing Milan, I'd root whole-heartedly for Mauricio Pochettino's exciting, young club.

Spurs controlled their destiny

After scoring two all-important away goals in the first leg of the round of 16 versus Juventus, coming into Thursday's contest, Tottenham was in the driver's seat. In the unlikely event of a 0-0 draw, Spurs would advance.

Unfortunately, Spurs' most crucial backline fixture, Belgian international, Toby Alderweireld was unavailable due to injury.

With right-back Serge Aurier also out due to suspension, it meant Kieran Trippier would start at right back, Ben Davies at the left, and Jan Vertonghen would pair with 21-year-old Davinson Sanchez in central defense. As we now know, Sanchez wasn't quite ready when the Champions League lights were brightest.

In all fairness, Juve was missing a few of their famous pieces, namely Mario Mandzukic and Federico Bernardeschi.

However, with the return of Argentina's next big thing, Paolo Dybala, Juventus were better suited to harass a questionable back line.

Tottenham dominated the first half

As EPL fans know, Wembley Stadium hasn't offered Tottenham much in the way of home-field advantage. That's why I was surprised to see Spurs jump the gate so quickly.

For the first 15 minutes, Hotspurs overpowered Juve in almost every aspect of the match. However, Spurs were unable to capitalize on possession, as 40-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, looked like a spring chicken, blocking shots with the greatest of ease.

Then in the 38th minute, Tottenham finally broke through. Having missed wide just moments earlier, Son Heung-Min Son received a low cross from Kieran Trippier that he barely put a shoelace on, scuffing the ball over the outstretched hand of Gigi.

Heading into the half, Spurs' 1-0 lead (3-2 on aggregate) offered the possibility of advancing past Juventus, a club that has appeared in two of the last three UCL finals.

Second half, different story

I'm not sure if Tottenham decided they'd solely prefer to play for the clean sheet, but the offensive press that worked so well in the first half disappeared in the second. Over the final 45 minutes, Juve showed why they're six-time defending Serie A Champions.

In a potential showcase of what's to come in Russia in 98 days, Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain and Paolo Dybala carried the Old Lady over the threshold. A half that was plagued by three yellow cards saw the team dressed in yellow score their first goal in the 64th minute.

A change in tactics (4-4-2) by Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri allowed substitute Stephan Lichtsteiner to freely cross a ball into the box that midfielder Sami Khedira headed onto the boot of Higuain for the volley past Spurs 'keeper Hugo Lloris. You could immediately feel the air sucked out of the 80,000 Tottenham supporters in attendance. Even still, because of those two crucial away goals, should the score stay tied at one-all, Spurs would advance.

Juve had other ideas, though.

Just three minutes later, Higuain played a deep ball straight through the heart of a confused Spurs' defense. For whatever reason, the backline acted too aggressively, marching towards midfield only for Davies to fail to mark the 24-year-old Dybala.

With Sanchez's feet stuck in quicksand, Vertoghen and Tripper stood no chance as Dybala ran onto the ball, breezing his way into the box before slamming a left-footed shot past the incoming Lloris for the game-defining score.

Now yes, Tottenham did all they could over the final 13 minutes to claw their way back into the match.

Christian Eriksen had a shot deflected wide -- first-half hero, Son, drove a ball barely past Buffon's post -- and of course, Kane F.C. made his final hurrah, rising above Juve defender Georgio Chiellini for a downwards header, only to have the ball avoid Buffon, hit the post and linger on the goal line long enough to be cleared out of danger.

So as Juventus march onto the UCL quarterfinals, Tottenham retreat to England where they'll look to sperate themselves from the pack long enough to guarantee a return trip to next year's illustrious club tournament. However, it will be a long summer for Spurs, as the rumors begin to fly on the fates of Kane, Toby and Danny Rose seeking greener pastures and a better chance at winning trophies
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