Tottenham manager Antonio Conte believes that winning all five of his team’s remaining games will be “difficult.”
To beat Arsenal to Champions League qualification, striker Harry Kane remarked earlier this week that his team needed to have a perfect record from now until the end of the season. Spurs would be guaranteed a top-four finish if they took 15 points and beat their north London rivals along the road. However, Conte understands how difficult that will be, especially given their trip to Liverpool next weekend.
‘I believe that if you win five games, you will almost certainly gain a spot in the Champions League,’ he stated before Leicester’s visit on Sunday. ‘However, in England, it is difficult to believe that you will win every game. ‘No, you won’t.’ We’ll have to take it one game at a time. We play Leicester on Sunday, and as you are aware, they have a very strong squad. It will undoubtedly be a challenging contest.’
‘We have to take it one step at a time and realize that this is a huge chance for us, and we have to approach each game with great enthusiasm, emotion, and joy.’
‘It’s also important for us to express our delight with our followers since we’re fighting for something unique.’ As a result, this type of situation must provide us with a lot of enthusiasm for the season’s remaining games.’
Spurs have struggled in their last two games against teams that have sat behind the ball and denied space to their front three, resulting in zero attempts on goal.
Despite the injuries to wingers Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilon, Conte is adamant about sticking with his 3-4-3 formation.
‘We now have Emerson (Royal) and (Ryan) Sessegnon available,’ he said. I believe (Dejan) Kulusevski can play in that position during the game. For the next seven months, I believe the best solution is to stick with what we know and do.’
‘With this formation, we know how to play, and it gives us a lot of pleasure.’ But if something else happens – which I hope doesn’t – I’ll be compelled to adjust something and find a new solution from here until the conclusion.’