March 18th 2023.
(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk) Antonio Conte slammed his Tottenham players for their lack of fight and commitment
Antonio Conte has strongly criticized his Tottenham players following their late collapse in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Southampton, claiming they were 'selfish', lacked fight, and were 'not playing for the team'.
The north Londoners had looked set to earn a rare away win at St Mary's after second-half strikes from Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic had put them 3-1 up after 74 minutes.
But former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott cut the deficit almost instantly after some disorganized defending, before the hosts were granted a contentious penalty in injury time, which James Ward-Prowse converted.
Conte, who is due to leave Spurs at the end of the campaign, was frustrated by the penalty decision but even more so with his players, harshly criticizing their display and questioning their commitment and battle - this season and over the past 20 years.
Speaking after the game, the clearly irritated Italian said: ‘For the penalty for me it was not a penalty. Then we stop. We close the situation. The worst situation is what was happening on the pitch. What was happening in the last few months. What is happening in my second season.
‘I think that it’s the right moment to speak because I believe that after this performance, for me this is unacceptable. We were winning 3-1, in control and then we gave up two goals and Fraser [Forster] made saves.
(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk) Conte accused his players of being 'selfish' and not playing for the team
‘I think it’s better to go into the issue, we are not a team. We are 11 players that go onto the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don’t want to assist each other and don’t show their passion.
Spurs surrendered two late goals to lose ground in the top-four race and Conte was adamant that the blame lay with the players, not the system or tactics.
He added: ‘Before today I attempted to hide the situation and improve the situation with words, regarding tactical and technical. It’s one thing, regarding one thing which is the desire, the fire that you need to have in your eyes, your heart. You need to have this in every moment.
Antonio Conte was fuming after Tottenham threw away a two-goal lead at St Mary’s
Antonio Conte was clearly frustrated after his Tottenham team gave away a two-goal lead at St Mary’s, accusing them of being ‘selfish’, lacking combativeness and ‘not playing for the team’.
Spurs looked to be on course for a rare away victory after second-half goals from Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic had put them 3-1 up after 74 minutes.
But a Theo Walcott strike, followed by a controversial penalty decision at the death, meant the north Londoners were forced to settle for a point, leaving Conte seething.
The Italian, who is set to depart the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, was not only angry with the penalty decision but significantly more so with his team's performance, questioning their commitment and fire - both this season and for the last two decades.
He said: ‘For the penalty for me it was not a penalty. Then we stop. We close the situation. The worst situation is what was happening on the pitch. What was happening in the last few months. What is happening in my second season.
‘I think that it's the right moment to speak because I think that after this performance, for me this is unacceptable. We are winning 3-1, in control and concede two goals and Fraser [Forster] made saves.
‘I think it's better to go into the problem, we are not a team. We are 11 players that go onto the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don't want to help each other and don't put their heart.
Antonio Conte was fuming after Tottenham tossed away a two-goal advantage at St Mary’s, accusing his players of being ‘selfish’, without a fight and ‘not playing for the team’.
The north Londoners seemed to be on their way to a rare away win at St Mary’s after Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic had put them 3-1 up after 74 minutes.
Nevertheless, former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott reduced the deficit soon after, before the hosts were controversially awarded a penalty in stoppage time, which James Ward-Prowse dispatched.
Conte, who is expected to leave Spurs at the end of the season, was not only irate about the penalty decision but much more so with his players' display, questioning their commitment and fire both this season and the past two decades.
He remarked: ‘For the penalty for me it was not a penalty. Then we stop. We close the situation. The worst situation is what was happening on the pitch. What was happening in the last few months. What is happening in my second season.
‘I think that it's the right moment to speak because I think that after this performance, for me this is unacceptable. We are winning 3-1, in control and concede two goals and Fraser [Forster] made saves.
‘I think it's better to go into the problem, we are not a team. We are 11 players that go onto the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don't want to help each other and don't put their heart.
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