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Conte explodes Spurs in sensational post-match conference
Antonio Conte lets it loose on Tottenham in a furious post-match press conference following their 3-3 draw against Southampton.
Antonio Conte has criticized Tottenham Hotspur’s players, ownership and winning mentality after they conceded a penalty to draw 3-3 at Premier League wrestlers Southampton on Saturday.
The Spurs were leading 3–1 with 15 minutes remaining, but Southampton secured a stunning late comeback with goals from Theo Walcott and a stoppage time penalty from James Ward-Prowse.
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The result leaves Spurs in fourth place, but they have played two games more than Newcastle United and Liverpool.
After the match, Conte lashed out at the players for how they have failed to perform in all competitions throughout the campaign.
“I’m really upset because this isn’t the first time and I think today I can tell you this is upset because we’re winning 3-1 and 15 minutes to go and I think you have to win,” Conte told the BBC. Sport.
“Instead, we showed this another time. Last season it started to get better, but we lost the characteristic of last season. I don’t want to talk about the technical aspect, the spirit is missing.”
“We are not a team. We are a team that everyone thinks about. If you are this way, it can happen. You lose to Sheffield United and drop the FA Cup and with AC Milan and to finish that run, I am you by winning 3-1 and in the last 15 you can give them the opportunity to come back I don’t see the sense of responsibility of the players.
“Now it’s hard – we’re working hard with this group and to move in the right direction. We’re behind, I see a lot of negative situations and a lot of selfish situations and players I don’t like. I know the way to beat teams , in the past I have beaten many teams, winning teams.
“Instead, we are behind, no one is interested in this. I have great frustration with this because me and the staff continue every day to think about a way to improve. Honestly, it’s time for me to take responsibility for me , the staff, the club but also the players.”
During his post-match press conference, Conte also appeared to be targeting the club’s ownership.
“They’re used to it here. Don’t play for anything important. They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress.”
“The story of Tottenham is this. Twenty years there’s the ownership and they’ve never won anything. Why? The blame is only on the club, or any manager who stays here. I’ve seen the managers Tottenham had on the bench .”
“It’s time to change this situation if Tottenham want to change. If they want to continue like this, they can change the manager, many managers, but the situation cannot change. Believe me.”
The Spurs are also dealing with a major injury, after a tearful Richarlison had to be withdrawn within the first five minutes.
Conte’s side will face Everton after the international break on April 5.