Antonio previews Leeds: “We have to put everything into this game”
Fri 11 November 2022, 17:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte has called for one last effort to end a gruelling period of matches on a positive note against Leeds United in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
This represents our 13th match in 43 days in three competitions. We sit fourth in the Premier League - a position we’ll hold going into the break for the World Cup - and we’ve reached the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, with a tie against AC Milan to follow next year.
Unfortunately, we bowed out of the Carabao Cup at Forest on Wednesday evening, with Antonio citing energy levels, both physically and mentally, as an issue. Nevertheless, with the positive news of the return from injury of both Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison in the last week - Antonio told us he will make a late decision on whether or not they will start against Leeds - Antonio is looking for us to end this ‘marathon’ with a win.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY on Friday, he said: “It has been a very tough period for the games, also, emotionally a sad period for (the loss of) Gian Piero (Ventrone) so, not easy to overcome this period. Now we have to play this last game and put everything into it.
“We know very well we are playing against a team that has a lot of energy, but, at the same time, we have prepared well, and we will try to do our best.
“Leeds, we are talking about team that run a lot, they press a lot, they play with high intensity, but, also, they have really good players. For this reason, the game won’t be easy for us. As I said, we want to try to do our best and get three points because to finish with a win at the end of this marathon will be really important for us.”
Speaking in his press conference, Antonio added: "We understand that we have to pay more attention to be more good defensively, because in the last seven games we conceded a goal in every game. This is unusual for us, and it means maybe we need to be more focussed, to be more compact and to show more compactness in the game. At the same time to try get three points but, for sure, the game won't be easy.
"This is the last game (in this period), and to finish with a win would be very important for us because with qualification for the Champions League, if you continue to stay in the top four in this first part of the season it means you did a good job."
