He is a special type of coach: Antonio Conte has opponents in the Champions League in Frankfurt Tottenham Hotspur got something going. His impulsive nature is contagious.
It’s been a week since Antonio Conte sounded like a soccer coach stepping onto the full stage for the first time. “It’s not that easy in the stadiums with all that noise“said the Italian after the zero number of the Tottenham Hotspur at Eintracht Frankfurt. Then Conte voted a song of praise to the “great atmosphere” in the city forest – as if his star troupe would otherwise only compete in the provinces.
The coach has won four league titles in Italy
But such appearances as after the third Champions League match day in the blackwashed press room in the Frankfurt Arena are method. Before the group game, the 53-year-old is the “Spurs” against the Europa League winner (Wednesday 9 p.m.) in office for almost a year – and differs significantly from a gentleman who silently follows events in a club suit on the bench. Instead, a volcano is bubbling in the coaching zone.
His impressive gestures and facial expressions are part of his repertoire. The fact that he sometimes behaves like a bitten animal is not only due to his nature. Not a few know the Italian champion coach, who brought Inter Milan the Serie A title for a long time in 2021 and did a fine hat-trick with Juventus between 2012 and 2014, also as an excellent show master. In addition, expansive hand movements also serve to whitewash his not-quite-perfect English.
English champion with Chelsea 2017
Many had expected that an upscale address of the premier league from the multicultural north cost of the metropolitan area of London, after the terrific failure of Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, brought a Brit back on the bench, who has a better command of the customs and terminology in the motherland of football, but club owner Daniel Levy decided differently in autumn 2021. And got his preferred candidate, who brought the desired result: The “Spurs” climbed to fourth place with their pragmatic style. The ticket for the premier class. Manchester United and the Arsenal FC were the ones who suffered.
Conte knew because of his involvement with Chelsea FC (2016 to 2018), which is required on the island. But to demand the really big coup from him, like once with the “blues“When he won the championship right in his debut season, it seems a bit too much of a good thing. “Champions League and Premier League are two of the best competitions in the world: it takes a lot of energy”says Conte, who has managed the balancing act with his team so far.
Italian defense and English aggressiveness
Despite the defeat at Sporting Lisbon (0:2), “Spurs” are still on course with four points in the premier class in Group D – provided they live up to their role as favorites against the Bundesliga side. And third place after nine matchdays in everyday league life – just three points behind the super squad of Manchester City – is also worthy of all honor.
The squad, which was reinforced in the summer by Brazilian international Richarlison, ex-Bundesliga professional Ivan Perisic, defender Clement Lenglet on loan from FC Barcelona and Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma, may not have such a star density as the “Citizens“Or Chelsea to offer, but definitely more options than the coach publicly admits. In the meantime, Conte is happy to complain about the lack of depth in his squad in the event of injuries.
Harry Kane is ready for action
But that’s whining on a high level. Especially with its attacking stars Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane, this team is always able to hurt any top team in the world, even if all the players like to entrench themselves deep in their own half, so that coaches like Jürgen Klopp are on the other side freak out. Tottenham have long mastered the art of fine pinpricks under Conte.
Kane in particular, who has been with the club since 2013, is the guarantee that combines Italian defensive skills with English aggressiveness. Most recently, the 29-year-old hobbled after the last Premier League game Brighton & Hove Albion (1:0) from the field, but then he gave the all-clear himself: “It was just a minor blow. Painful, but I’m feeling okay.”
England’s record goalscorer had, of course, scored the winning goal before being substituted. A minimalist result that Conte particularly liked. “I’m quite happy with the form we’re in.” And it will certainly be the same with the almost 60,000 fans who come to the White Hart Lane announce in the jewelry box opened in 2019 for Wednesday evening. Even if it might not really be as loud as last Tuesday in Frankfurt. Eintracht can only bring 3,000 fans.