Cristian previews West Ham: “The first seconds, the first minutes, are so important”
Fri 17 February 2023, 17:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Cristian Stellini is looking to ‘bring the crowd with us’ as we step into a crucial period of the season.
The next three weeks could prove pivotal as we face two London derbies in the Premier League - both on home soil - an FA Cup fifth round tie at Sheffield United and the second leg of our UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against AC Milan, also at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
We’ve five matches in three competitions in 18 days, kicking-off against West Ham on Sunday (4.30pm), followed by Chelsea on Sunday week (25 February, 1.30pm) and then Milan on Wednesday 8 March (8pm). In-between Chelsea and Milan, we’re on the road at Bramall Lane (Wednesday 1 March, 7.55pm) and Wolves (4 March, 3pm).
It’s no surprise then that Assistant Head Coach Cristian is looking for a reaction from the players after last week’s 4-1 loss at Leicester and a narrow 1-0 defeat at the San Siro this week. “I want to see the reaction from the start,” he said. “The first minute will be very important for us because we have to show the desire to play the best game we can.”
Cristian on... Skippy and Sarr
First up, Cristian’s views on the performances of Pape Sarr and Oliver Skipp in Milan...
“It was a Champions League knockout game, we played away, in a big stadium, big atmosphere, difficult atmosphere, and they were amazing. They played a great match and they were so focussed on the idea of the football we needed to play. We’re so pleased they played this great game because, for both, it was important, and an amazing experience that can fill them with confidence to play the next games. They are perfect in training, they push themselves every day to be better every day.”
Cristian on... decision time
However, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is available to face West Ham after being suspended for Milan – who might make way for his expected return?
“We will take this decision thinking about the game. The details in the game will be so important, so the decision we take will be about the game and the characteristics of our opponent, and what we need from our players, and the type of game we expect to play.”
We have in the next three weeks big games in our stadium and we have to feel good and to bring the crowd with us
Cristian on... West Ham
“We will get a difficult game. It’s a derby and West Ham isn’t a team you can underestimate. You have to play strong. They are strong physically, strong in many aspects, and you have to respect this type of game and this type of team. They have a good defensive record and every season it’s the same. They are a good team, strong physically, players with power, speed, good in counter-attacks… but we know we are good as well.”
Cristian on... home sweet home?
As mentioned at the start, we’ve three huge games at home, starting with the Hammers on Sunday...
“For this reason, the first seconds, the first minutes, are so important. I want to see the reaction from the start. We have to show the desire to play the best game we can. We have in the next three weeks big games in our stadium and we have to feel good and to bring the crowd with us.”
