Tottenham boss Antonio Conte praises gamers for win following sudden dying of health coach

Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte mentioned his workforce discovered it troublesome to play in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion after the dying of their health coach however Saturday’s victory confirmed he may at all times depend on his squad to rise to the event.

Spurs’ standard health coach Gian Piero Ventrone died earlier this week aged 61, simply days after he was recognized with leukaemia, leaving the Premier League membership devastated at his sudden demise.

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Conte was visibly emotional throughout the minute’s applause previous to kickoff whereas captain Hugo Lloris held up a shirt with Ventrone’s identify to the travelling assist following the 1-0 win that moved Spurs to inside three factors of the highest of the desk.

“It was a very robust week for us, not just for me — my employees, gamers and all of the Tottenham atmosphere. He was an individual who was within the coronary heart of each single Tottenham particular person,” Conte informed the BBC.

“It was actually robust for us. Tomorrow is the funeral, we are going to go together with the employees. It is extremely troublesome for me to talk about the scenario as a result of it’s obscure what occurred.

“On the finish, to win a sport right this moment in opposition to a very sturdy workforce like Brighton, it reveals that I can depend on not solely good gamers but additionally good males.”

Conte had beforehand labored with Ventrone when the Spurs supervisor was nonetheless a participant whereas the health coach was additionally a member of Marcelo Lippi’s employees that guided Italy to the World Cup title in 2006.

He had additionally labored with Juventus, Catania, JS Suning, Guangzhou Evergrande and AC Ajaccio earlier than transferring to Spurs final 12 months to affix Conte’s employees.

“I attempt to keep very near his household as a result of I’ve identified them for a very long time,” Conte added.

“Typically life is just not at all times optimistic issues. There are unhealthy conditions, however on the similar time it’s important to be good to deal with these moments in the fitting manner.”