Team news ahead of Bournemouth - Antonio’s latest on Cuti and ‘finding a good balance’ for big week ahead

Antonio Conte will keep a close eye on Cristian Romero’s fitness levels ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League (3pm).

‘Cuti’ and midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg both missed last weekend’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United due to fatigue, but both returned and completed the 90 minutes against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Antonio reported in his pre-match press conference that Pierre was, ‘okay, 100 per cent’ for Bournemouth but suggested that Cuti, ‘needed to recover better’.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY after training on Friday, Antonio told us that both players were available for the trip to the Vitality Stadium, but there was also a balance to think about with the decisive, final group game of the UCL against Olympique de Marseille quickly following on Tuesday evening (8pm UK).

“For sure, I can tell you now, we took a big, big risk (against Sporting on Tuesday), especially for Cuti, but also for Pierre,” said Antonio. “It was a really important game for us, and, for this reason, I want to say thanks because these two players gave us their availability to play.

“Now, tomorrow, another tough game after only two days and a half. For sure, some players are a bit tired, especially the players who played game by game in a row, but we want to play a good game tomorrow and, for this reason, we will try to pick the best starting XI.

“We also have to consider that on Tuesday night, we have to play a really important game in the Champions League against Marseille. They (Cuti and Pierre) are both available, but I have to check and also to keep in consideration the game on Tuesday if it’s better for someone to start on the bench or in the starting XI.

“I try to find a good balance because, I repeat, at the moment it’s tough, players are tired and we don’t want more injuries because, I repeat, in front of us we have really important games. I believe in my players, I trust my players. Tomorrow we are ready.”

Antonio confirmed that Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison remain out against Bournemouth, and here’s what he had to say when asked about Cuti and Pierre.

“First of all, we have taken a big, big risk for this decision, especially for Cuti, for Romero, because he was really tired, and we risked a lot. You know, in this type of game, you have to take some risks, and the player gave us the availability to play. Now, we have to try to manage him very well, because he played and finished the game with great will and great desire. For this reason, I had to say thanks to him and Pierre. I think Cuti needed to recover better, but Pierre is okay 100 per cent. Cuti is okay, but we have another important game on Tuesday, and, for this reason, we try to make the best decision for him.”