Champions League: back on the bench, Conte hopes to "transmit his energy" to Tottenham

Europe 1 with AFP 9:24 p.m., March 7, 2023

After recovering from surgery, Tottenham coach Antonio Conte will return to his team's bench for the Champions League round of 16 second leg against AC Milan on Wednesday (0-1 first leg). ).

Operated on February 1 to have his gallbladder removed, Antonio Conte had tried to return on February 14, during the first leg, before having to prolong his recovery a little. 

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 Tuesday during the press conference of pre-game.

"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 said. he adds.

He admitted that he had underestimated the time needed to recover when he had tried to return as early as February.

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"I'm better"

"Now I'm better and I've recovered my energy. I still have to gain some weight, but for the rest everything is OK," he said.

"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.

Striker Son Heung-min confirmed that Conte "brings positive energy to the team".

"Since (his return) yesterday, you can feel his energy and his passion again. If he is on the sidelines, I think the players will be more comfortable and that will give us an incredible boost," Son pointed out.

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"Character Match"

Conte's return to the bench will be "an added value for them", also admitted Milan coach Stefano Pioli on his arrival in London in the evening.

"But beyond Conte, we will find a ready and motivated opponent, given the importance of this meeting," he said at a press conference.

He expects Tottenham to be "more aggressive" than going to a "character match" and in front of a "boiling" audience.

But "we are used to it and we want to experience this kind of emotion", assured Pioli.

"We have a small advantage, but we must not try to manage, we must try to score. We will try to do this by trying to surprise our opponent, who can leave us spaces," said the coach.

Regarding the uncertainties surrounding the Spanish midfielder Brahim Diaz, the first leg striker touched on a knee, and the French center-forward Olivier Giroud, flu, Pioli assured that both were able to start.