Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has opened up about the impact of Gian Piero Ventrone’s passing in his post-match press conference after the victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Spurs were looking to bounce back after their unbeaten start to the domestic campaign was brought to an abrupt halt by North London rivals Arsenal last weekend. They visited a Brighton side who had not lost at home in seven months.
A first-half header from Harry Kane was enough to see Spurs over the line to a 1-0 win in what was an emotional game at the Amex Stadium.
The club announced on Thursday that fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone had sadly passed away. Ventrone had arrived in North London last November, following his friend and colleague Antonio Conte.
In his post-match press conference (via Football.London), Conte opened up on the difficult week around the club and offered an insight into his final interaction with Ventrone.
He said: “I have to be honest, it was really, really difficult for us to be here and to focus on the game because what happened in the last three days was incredible.
“I knew that the situation was really problematic after the game against Frankfurt but no one could have expected this situation because no one knew something this illness.
“It was an illness but under control and then it is very difficult because the situation hit me a lot in the emotional aspect. When it happens it is very difficult to cover your feeling with the players and with the people that work in Tottenham.
“At the same time, I have seen a lot of solidarity. The players were really devastated by the pain and the whole Tottenham environment, the feeling was really bad because in only ten months I think Gian Piero got through the heart of everybody.
“They appreciated because we are talking about a really big worker for me in my opinion in his job he is a scientist and for him I spoke with him last week on Thursday, the last time when I arrived at training ground he wanted to speak to me and asked me if he could stay at home because he has a bit of a fever.
“It was incredible because he was really worried to miss the training and I said Gian Piero when we are talking about your health, in that moment he spoke to me about his illness and when it is health you have to take the right check and don’t worry but his first problem was to miss the training.
“For this reason, I think he was in the hearts of every single player and my players were really devastated by the pain but life sometimes, you know it happens in many situation not only to us.
“Life sometimes is not good. At the same time, you have to cope with the situation in the best possible way, And then I am sure Gian Piero will stay with us forever. I am sure about this.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It’s nice to hear Antonio Conte open up like this and talk about his colleague and friend in such a way. Clearly, Gian Piero had a profound effect on everyone he crossed paths with, and he will be greatly missed by everyone involved in football, not just at Tottenham Hotspur.
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