Tottenham boss Antonio Conte revealed that he would have had a heart attack if his side’s winner against Bournemouth was disallowed. Conte was furious on Wednesday after Harry Kane’s injury-time goal in Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League tie at home against Sporting Lisbon was disallowed by VAR for offside. On Saturday, Spurs left it too late at the Vitality Stadium as substitute Bentancur volleyed in the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute without the need for VAR to confirm it. Conte, despite the raucous celebrations, carefully walked through the tunnel and then made a second appearance for the last few seconds.
“When I realized the objective was reasonable, I returned. I worried that if something went wrong, I may experience a heart attack because I had said that I would go through [the tunnel] if I was allowed to score in two days but was afterward denied. I then maintained my composure and awaited the referee’s verdict,” Antonio Conte said. “It was wonderful to observe the desire and response of my athletes. Since I could feel it in my teammates’ eyes that they were determined to win this game, they are also nasty in what they put onto the field. When we were tied 2-2, our only thinking was to pick up the ball and get back to playing. This attitude was incredibly fantastic, and I want my guys to have it as well.”
Spurs had lost their previous three games, including consecutive Premier League losses to Manchester United and Newcastle, so Conte really needed a win against Bournemouth. Conte thinks the victory on the south coast can give his team the momentum they need going into the Stade Velodrome when Spurs play Marseille away in the Champions League on Tuesday. Spurs must win or at least draw if they are to advance to the round of 16.
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