Antonio Conte (Tottenham): “I recovered my energy”
Absent for several matches for medical reasons, Tottenham’s Italian coach Antonio Conte will return to the bench this Wednesday in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against AC Milan. Operated on February 1 to have his gallbladder removed, he had tried to return from February 14, when of the first leg lost 1-0before having to prolong his convalescence.
If he has always been in contact with the team and his assistant Cristian Stellini, who replaced him on the bench for the matches, “being present is totally different”he admitted at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “I would like to thank all the staff who did a very good jobhe added. And also the players. Being without a coach for three weeks was not easy. »
Conte admitted that he had underestimated the time needed to recover. “Now I’m better, and I’ve recovered my energy. I still have to regain some weight, but for the rest, everything is OK”he specified.
At his side at a press conference, South Korean international striker Son Heung-min considered that Conte “brought positive energy to the team. From (his return) yesterday (Monday), you can feel his passion again. If he’s on the sidelines, I think the players will be more comfortable and that will give us incredible momentum.”
