#PLStories- Antonio Conte on Pape Matar Sarr, Oliver Skipp, his own health and returning to Italy #THFC
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antonio conte happy
What did you make of your team’s performance and in particular the two young midfielders?
About the two midfielders, I think that I’m really happy about the performance from Skippy and Pape Sarr. Honestly to play in this way in the Champions League and to play in the San Siro in this atmosphere, I think that normally it’s tough for important players. They played a really good game and I’m really happy. This type of performance make me more relaxed for the future because we have to consider that we could finish the season with only three midfielders, Pape Sarr, Skippy and Pierre Hojbjerg. To have this type of performance makes me more relaxed because I know that I can count on these two players 100% and I’m really happy for them. As for the performance I think it was a battle from the start until the end. I think we played against a team with a high intensity and a lot of pressure and it was very difficult to play for us and difficult to play for them. It was a pity to concede a goal after five minutes because I felt in this specific situation we could have done much better. Then we tried. When you play against Milan you have to pay attention when you attack to prevent the counter-attack because they have players like Leao and Theo Hernandez and also a point of reference like Giroud. If they have space they can kill you. We are now talking about the first game for the qualification and there are two games. I hope, I’m sure, that in the second game in our stadium I know that our fans will create an important atmosphere to push us to overcome the Milan obstacle.
You’re not definitely out of the competition though?
Concerning the performance I think my players have played with willingness, they have determined, they have been there. Conceding a goal after five minutes was really hard for us. The match was all downhill for Milan, after that goal they could play with different characteristics, not with the typical ones. They have very good players, like Leao, Theo Hernandez and Giroud, when you make a pass, you hand a pass to Giroud, Giroud makes possession and he allows the team to attack. I am not making reference to only Giroud, I am making reference to the performance of the whole opponent. If you ask me about specific players I can answer you that some of them need to be more self-confident especially when they attack. They need to recover their trust when it comes to dribbling and attack. I think generally speaking they have been very determined. Now it is my task to show my players that I really trust them and rely on them. We need to try to improve, we need to improve and be prepared for the Premier League and the FA Cup and the second game against Milan.
Do you need to be back to full fitness in order to change things during the match from the touchline?
Frankly speaking in the previous match I was completely out, I have just had surgery and after two days my doctor told me I couldn’t go, I couldn’t make effort, so in the previous match I was distant from the pitch. Christian was there replacing me and was able to share my ideas with the team, he really helped me out a lot. I was wearing a medical device in that period (a post-operative stomach support), but I was still able to interact in a fair enough way with the team, I was not 100 per cent for my physical shape but in the next game I will be fit and try to give my contribution.
You’re back at the San Siro, in the future will Italy welcome you again?
Playing here in the San Siro as a player and manager is special, is unique. The San Siro is a historical stadium, it’s a beautiful one, it is always packed with people, it is full, and I love the fact whether it is Milan or Inter, the stadium is always crowded. It is very good for Milan and the stadium. I am pleased for both groups of fans. Today this beautiful setting was playing against us, the Milan supporters were singing all the time and it is evident they were the 12th man tonight, this will be helpful with us when we play the second leg.
I prefer to live in the present, I don’t want to think about the future but you perfectly know that as an Italian man and the former Italy manager, Italy is in my heart and Italy will always stay there. I will never exclude the possibility that I will be back here one day, who knows.
Are you expecting Yves Bissouma to be out until the end of the season and what did you like in particular about Skipp and Sarr’s performances tonight?
About Bissouma he has a stress fracture in his ankle and when this type of situation happens you never know how long a time he needs to recover. In my mind, in this moment, is to consider three midfielders. To have this type of performance from Skippy and Pape Sarr makes me happy because I have seen a lot of improvement in these players and it means we are working very well with them.
It means they are improving and for sure they will be the future for Tottenham but at the same time they will be the present. I have to consider them important players and with Pierre Hojbjerg we have only three midfielders and fingers crossed no injuries for the rest of the season and then we hope to recover before the end of the season Bissouma but we know about this situation I’m not sure what is the future and whether he’ll be able this season.
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