Antonio’s verdict on Frankfurt: “Everything is in our hands now, and that’s important”
Thu 13 October 2022, 00:25|
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte was pleased with the performance to claim a vital win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night but felt there were lessons to be learned after a somewhat nervy end to the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
We recovered well from the early setback of Daichi Kamada’s goal for the visitors to lead 3-1 at the break thanks to two goals from Heung-Min Son - the second, a ripper of a volley - and Harry Kane’s penalty. We then looked in complete control as Tuta was sent off for a second bookable offence on the hour.
However, we didn’t put the game completely to bed and Faride Alidou gave the 10 men hope when he headed home for 3-2 with four minutes remaining. We then had the rarity of Harry missing a penalty after Bryan Gil was brought down and a few tense moments when Frankfurt launched the ball into our box, but we held on and now top Group D after four of the six matches.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY, Antonio said: “In my opinion, we played really well, created a lot of chances to score, scored three goals and had many chances. Their goalkeeper was their best player.
“Then, to see the final part of the game was really difficult. We can learn a lot from what happened at the end, because we need to know very well, me and the players, that the game is never finished until the referee whistles three times. We dropped our level of attention because we considered the game ended.
“It’s good to speak because the game finished with a win but, for sure, we have to analyse and to be better next time, everybody.
“It was a good performance, a good win, now we are leading our group, everything is in our hands, and this is important, because we have an important chance in the next game against Sporting Lisbon, because if we get a win we go through to the next round, and this is our first target this season.
“Now, it’s important to recover very well. We have one day, tomorrow, to rest and then one day, Friday, to prepare for the game against Everton. Their start wasn’t good but now they find a good balance and Frank Lampard is a really good manager and we have to pay great attention, they have many good players.”
Marseille beat Sporting Lisbon in tonight's other match in Group D, so we're top on seven points with Marseille second on goal difference from Sporting on six and Frankfurt on four. Next up, Sporting at home in Matchday Five on Wednesday 26 October (8pm).
