Antonio Conte is Expecting a Tough Match against Tottenham

Although Tottenham are currently experiencing a month long slump since mid-October, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is approaching Saturday’s match with caution.

Yesterday, Mauricio Pochettino spoke with reporters about many topics before Tottenham take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This time around, Antonio Conte spoke to the media and offered his thoughts on facing Spurs.

A side he won’t take lightly despite the north London club’s current struggles since mid-October after returning from the international break.

“Every game is different,” Conte said at his pre-match press conference today (via Spurs’ official site). “After the defeat against Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham played a very good game against Arsenal away and drew 1-1.”

“For this reason we have to know we have a tough game tomorrow. The last game was a bad result for Tottenham, but tomorrow will be another game in the league.”

“This is a special derby for both teams and we are awaiting a great game.”

Tomorrow’s result upon the conclusion of this London derby will be massive for both clubs. A win for Chelsea will see the Blues win their seventh straight Premier League match. They will also go four points ahead of second-placed Liverpool.

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If Spurs lose, not only will their unbeaten streak in England end, but this will be their 30th match where they have failed to win at Stamford Bridge in any competition. A streak that started before the inception of the Premiership.

You would have to go all the way back to February of 1990 when Gary Lineker helped seal a 2-1 win for the Lilywhites. Since then, it’s been all Chelsea with last May’s encounter the perfect opportunity to snap a then-28 match winless streak while also inching closer to a top flight division title.

When asked on his thoughts of last year’s meetings, Antonio Conte noted that the game was strange. Spurs led 2-0 in the first half, then Chelsea leveled the game in the second half.

No matter what the result was for that match, it’s in the past for the 47-year-old now. However, he is well aware of what transpired. It’s one of the reasons why he believes Spurs will give it there all on Saturday when the two clubs square off once again.

“It was a very strange game,” the Italian manager said. “In the first half, Tottenham played very well and scored two goals. In the second half there was another game, Chelsea scored two goals and the game finished in a draw.”

“Now it’s important to think about the present. For us, it’s very important to think this game tomorrow will be very tough against a strong opponent who last season fought until the end to win the title.”

“Tottenham have a great manager, a lot of talented players, very young, and I think they have improved their squad compared to last season.”

“For this reason, we have to pay attention tomorrow. It will be a tricky game and I am pushing my players to be focused.”

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There are times when Spurs have played extremely well (Manchester City, Arsenal, West Ham United), they have also managed to look rather inept (playing in the Champions League). Who knows which team will show up against Chelsea but Tottenham cannot lose tomorrow.

A loss won’t doom them of a top four spot yet, or even a chance at first place. Instead, it will most likely affect their confidence even more after not being able to advance further in the Champions League. And, also not winning enough games.

If that happens, Spurs’ current run of form may continue for a while longer. That is, until the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Érik Lamela return to help this team.