Antonio on Sarr and Skippy: “We know we trust them, so now they have to continue in this way”
Wed 15 February 2023, 14:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte was delighted with the performances of Pape Sarr and Oliver Skipp in the cauldron of the San Siro on Tuesday evening.
Without three senior central midfielders in Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Antonio explained on Monday how he trusted the young duo to handle the biggest nights of their careers in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, first leg against Milan. It was, after all, Pape’s Champions League debut and a first start for Skippy in the competition.
Neither buckled, but instead thrived in what was a real battle to gain an advantage in the tie ahead of the return leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday 8 March (8pm). In the end, Brahim Diaz’s early goal gave Milan that slender advantage in a game of few clear-cut chances.
It’s not easy to play a game in this atmosphere, instead, they played without emotion... I’m really happy because I know I can count on them 100 per cent
“They played a good game,” said Antonio. “They showed me great improvement and that means we are working very well with them. It’s not easy to play a game in this atmosphere, instead, they played without emotion, they played with experienced players and I’m really happy because I know I can count on them 100 per cent.
“Also, because for now we only have three midfielders, Pape Sarr, Skippy and Pierre Hojbjerg, to have this type of performance, I’m really happy, especially for Skippy, because he’s struggled a lot (with injuries), since I arrived in Tottenham he played many games, good games, then he had a serious problem. Now, to have this type of game can give them confidence, they know we can trust them, so they have to continue in this way and to be ready.”
