Antonio previews Sporting CP: “They are in a good moment of form”
It’s a rare first in Lisbon for Antonio Conte. A player and manager since 1985, our UEFA Champions League Group D clash represents a first competitive meeting with Sporting Clube de Portugal.
“Yes, it’s my first match as a player or manager against Sporting Lisbon,” said Antonio on his first visit to the Jose Alvalade Stadium for media duties on Monday night. “I’ve played against Porto and Benfica, but not Sporting.
“My expectation is to have a really tough game,” he later told SPURSPLAY. “They are in a really good moment of form - in their last two games they scored seven goals and didn’t concede a goal.
“They are well organised, the coach (Ruben Amorim) is good, you can see he has a good idea of football, good players with great skills and ability. They are also fast on the counter attack. We will have to pay great attention, but we know very well the Champions League is the most difficult tournament in the world for this reason, in every game, we face an important team.”
Champions in 2020/21, Amorim took Sporting into the knockout stage of the competition last season, despite losing their opening game 5-1 against Ajax. Victory over Borussia Dortmund saw them progress from the group, alongside Ajax. Second in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last term, Sporting toppled Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in Germany in their group opener.
“I have a lot of respect,” added Antonio in his pre-match press conference. “It's always difficult to play against Portuguese teams. Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Porto, it's always difficult, not only for Tottenham, but for all teams. For this reason, we have a great respect. We know the game will be tough but in the Champions League you are playing against massive teams, the best teams in the world.”
Meanwhile, Antonio revealed that he went to Buckingham Palace on Friday to pay his respects following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
He said: “For sure, what happened in the last few days in England is something extraordinary. On Thursday, we were all sad because we are talking about a person that her service for this country was outstanding.
“On Friday, I went to Buckingham Palace to live this situation because I think for sure we will remember this for the rest of our lives. I want to give condolences from me, from the Club, from the players to the Royal Family.
“To stay here in this moment and to live this moment here is for sure a sad moment, but at the same time it is a special moment because we are talking about the death of the Queen. She was 96 years old and honestly, for me, it was very difficult to believe she was dead, because in your mind you think that the Queen was immortal. To live this situation in London, in this specific moment, for sure I will keep this in my heart, in my mind for the rest of my life.”