Antonio previews Milan: “Don’t have regrets - I ask this to all the players”
Antonio Conte is looking for our fans to create ‘an amazing atmosphere’ on what could be another European night to remember in N17 as we face Milan in the second leg of our UEFA Champions League, Round of 16 tie this evening (8pm).
Milan have a narrow 1-0 advantage from a closely-fought first leg on Valentine’s Day, an evening where Antonio was struck by the atmosphere in the famous old San Siro. Fans certainly let their feelings known when former Inter boss Antonio and player Ivan Perisic were announced on the big screens!
Away goals no longer count in the competition, so our task is straight forward - win by two goals, and we’ll progress to the quarter-finals. Win by one, and we’ll head into extra time, and possibly penalties. Anything less, and we’ll be out.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY on Tuesday, Antonio told us: “We have a big opportunity and we have to feel the whole environment, the players, the staff, the club and especially the fans staying together from the start until the end. Then, at the final whistle, don’t have regrets. I ask this to all my players.”
Antonio on Milan...
"First of all, we must remember that we’re playing against the team that last season won the league in Italy. You know when you win, you start to understand the path to follow to win again. For this reason, we have to pay attention. They have many good players, good to exploit space on the counter-attack with players like Theo Hernandez and Leao, players like Giroud, very strong. It will be a tough game, we know this. At the same time, we want to try to go to the next round."
Antonio on tactics...
"Now there is no difference to score a goal away or at home. For us, it will be very important to win. Also, if they do score a goal, we win 2-1, we go to extra time. It will be very important to play with enthusiasm, to be positive and players like Sonny, Harry, Deki, Richy, Lucas, Arnaut, they have to make the difference. We need their talent and then our organisation. It will very important to be creative, to create chances and to attack the box. Every situation can change the final result and we have to take care of the details, because the details can change the final result."
Antonio on our fans...
“I think, compared to last season when we dropped out of the Conference League, to stay in the Champions League through the group stage and have the opportunity to play in the quarter-final has to give us an exciting moment. For this reason, I want to ask our fans to create an amazing atmosphere. They have to be a big boost for the players. It will be very important, because in the first leg, the atmosphere at the San Siro was incredible, and that atmosphere helped them to play a good game. We have a big opportunity and we have to feel the whole environment, the players, the staff, the club and especially the fans staying together from the start until the end. Then, at the final whistle, don’t have regrets. I ask this to all my players.”