Cristian’s verdict on Marseille: “I’m very proud... it’s a big step”
Cristian Stellini revealed he used everything he’s learned under Antonio Conte to help turn around our crucial UEFA Champions League Group D decider against Olympique de Marseille on Tuesday evening.
Trailing 1-0 at the break in a game where we had to avoid defeat to progress to the knockout stage, Antonio’s assistant Cristian - in charge of the team with Antonio suspended - conceded the home side had control in the first half, pointing to a lack of energy as Chancel Mbemba headed home in added time.
Clement Lenglet alluded to some important discussions at half-time and we were much improved in the second half. Clement, back on home soil, headed home the equaliser and with chances at both ends in a dramatic climax, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg found the energy to burst onto Harry Kane’s pass and fire home off the post in the 95th minute, a goal that not just clinched the win, but secured top spot in the group.
The Round of 16 draw follows on Monday from Nyon, Switzerland.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY from the Stade Velodrome, Cristian said; “I was coming into the dressing room (at half-time) and thinking how Antonio would talk, and I did, with all my energy, all my thoughts and we are here to celebrate. Also, thanks to Antonio because I learned a lot of lessons from him, and I used this.
“I’m very proud because when you start a match in the way we started, it’s not easy to change. The crowd was very hot, Marseille had control of the game in the first half, and we never jumped up to press or create problems, and our energy was very low.
“We defended well, because they didn’t create a lot of chances. We changed the system in the second half and played much better, controlled the game and played a fantastic second half. We followed the process.
“It’s a big confidence boost, a big energy boost, so we have to keep that with us until the 12 November, when we finish this period of many, many games. We have to keep this energy with us, that’s very important, because it’s a long time since we won an away game in Europe. It’s very important to win, a big step.
“We know it’s one year since we’ve been here, we can say this, we’ve scored 115 goals in one year, that’s huge, and it’s massive, the improvement we’ve had, but we have to improve again.”