Antonio Conte is holding his press conference ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s north London derby clash with Arsenal on Thursday evening.
Before he gets to discussing that huge match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Conte will be asked about Jurgen Klopp’s comments on Saturday following the 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
The Reds’ manager was dismissive of Conte’s game plan for the game at Anfield when asked if he was impressed with Spurs’ defending, stating: “I’m sorry I’m the wrong person for that, I don’t like this kind of football, but that’s my personal problem. I think they’re world-class and I think they should do more for the game.
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“I think the game against Liverpool they had 36% or 38% possession, but it’s my problem. I cannot coach it. So that’s why I cannot do it. So yes, world-class players block all the balls, really difficult. Atletico Madrid is doing it. Fine, they won whatever. Fine, absolutely fine. I just can’t. I respect everything they do, but it’s not me.”
Klopp also made a jibe in his BT Sport interview, suggesting that Spurs’ tactics had got them to “only fifth”, something the German later retracted.
Conte will give his response to the comments from the Liverpool boss and also look ahead to one of the biggest north London derbies in years.
Fourth-placed Arsenal arrive with a four-point cushion over their hosts and the knowledge that if they win on Thursday then they are guaranteed Champions League qualification. Conte knows his men must win the derby in order to put the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side for the final two matches.
There will be added spice to the fixture with Conte and Spurs unhappy with Arsenal getting the originally scheduled match in January postponed after one reported Covid case in their camp.
Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to Conte. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at Hotspur Way.
Source by Football London
