Absent for several matches for medical reasons, the Italian coach of Tottenham Antonio Conte will return to the bench on Wednesday in the knockout stages of the Champions League against AC Milan. A return that could count for Tottenham.
Operated on February 1 to have his gallbladder removed, Antonio Conte has always been in contact with the team and his assistant Cristian Stellini, who replaced him on the bench for the matches, but “being present is totally different“, he admitted Tuesday during the pre-match press conference.
«I thank all the staff who did a very good job. And also the players. Being without a coach for three weeks was not easy. I know it but I’m back, I’m really happy“, he added. He admitted that he had underestimated the time needed to recover when he had tried to return as early as February. “Now I am better and I have recovered my energy. I still have to gain some weight, but everything else is OK.“, he specified.
“It will give us incredible momentum”
«I have a lot of energy and I will try to transmit my energy to my players because it is an important game for us.“, he continued.
Sitting next to him for the press conference, striker Son Heung-min confirmed that Conte “brought positive energy to the team». «Since (his return) yesterday, we can feel his energy and his passion again. If he’s on the edge of the sidelines I think the players will be more comfortable and that will give us incredible momentum.“Son pointed out.