Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte stated his group discovered it troublesome to play in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion after the demise of its health coach however Saturday’s victory confirmed he may at all times rely on his squad to rise to the event.
Spurs’ well-liked health coach Gian Piero Ventrone died earlier this week aged 61, simply days after he was identified with leukaemia, leaving the Premier League membership devastated at his sudden demise.
Conte was visibly emotional through the minute’s applause previous to kickoff whereas captain Hugo Lloris held up a shirt with Ventrone’s identify to the travelling assist following the 1-0 win that moved Spurs to inside three factors of the highest of the desk.
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“It was a very robust week for us, not just for me – my workers, gamers and all of the Tottenham surroundings. He was an individual who was within the coronary heart of each single Tottenham particular person,” Conte informed the BBC.
“It was actually robust for us. Tomorrow is the funeral, we’ll go along with the workers. It may be very troublesome for me to talk about the scenario as a result of it’s obscure what occurred.
“At the top, to win a sport right this moment in opposition to a very sturdy group like Brighton, it exhibits that I can rely on not solely good gamers but additionally good males.”
Conte had beforehand labored with Ventrone when the Spurs supervisor was nonetheless a participant whereas the health coach was additionally a member of Marcelo Lippi’s workers that guided Italy to the World Cup title in 2006.
He had additionally labored with Juventus, Catania, JS Suning, Guangzhou Evergrande and AC Ajaccio earlier than transferring to Spurs final yr to affix Conte’s workers.
“I attempt to keep very near his household as a result of I’ve identified them for a very long time,” Conte added.
“Sometimes life will not be at all times optimistic issues. There are unhealthy conditions, however on the identical time you need to be good to deal with these moments in the best method.”
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