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ANTONIO CONTE has revealed a burning desire to improve his record in the Champions League ahead of Tottenham’s opener at home to Marseille today.
The 53-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best managers in the world, having lifted numerous domestic titles in England and Italy, but has struggled in Europe’s elite competition.
During five previous seasons in the Champions League, Conte has only made it out of the group stage on two occasions and the furthest he has gone in the tournament was a quarter-final appearance with Juventus in 2013.
“Success in Europe with a trophy is important for every manager,” Conte said.
“You know very well that it is not simple, not easy to lift a trophy in Europe and especially the Champions League. It is important to be there and you have more probability if you are the coach of a team who expects to win.
“Two years ago with Inter Milan we lost the final of the Europa League against Sevilla. For sure, in my heart, in my mind, in my ambition there is the will to have success in Europe.”
It was put to Conte that Italian managers sometimes favour league triumphs over going far in the Champions League but it was laughed off by the Spurs boss, who referenced compatriot Carlo Ancelotti’s success in the tournament.
He did, however, admit that having experience and history does count for plenty and, despite Tottenham making the 2019 final, this will be their first time alongside Europe’s elite for two-and-a-half years.
With this in mind, Conte feels it would be “unthinkable” for Spurs to win the Champions League this season but called on them to keep building and play with ambition in a group they are backed to top over Marseille, Frankfurt and Sporting Lisbon.
Spurs are in the middle of a hectic schedule of seven matches in 21 days and, when they return from the international break at the end of September, will continue to play twice a week up until club football pauses on November 12 for the winter World Cup.
Conte is frustrated they are again in the middle of a period where they will play three times in the space of six days and called on the club to pay greater attention to the fixture schedule moving forward.
