09 March 2023 , 06:37
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Antonio Conte watched Tottenham crash out of the Champions League without a whimper but claimed: “We have taken a step forward.”
As the meter ticked over into a 16th season without a trophy, Spurs found their last route to silverware in 2023 expertly barricaded by Milan, for whom England defender Fikayo Tomori was outstanding. Tottenham were booed off, and a parting of the ways with Conte – who is out of contract in June – now looks inevitable.
The Spurs head coach, back on the touchline after gallbladder surgery, said: "That is the third game in a row that we were not able to score. I think we can do much better offensively – and I speak about the whole team not only those who play in the front half. We can do much better.
"But I can't say anything negative about the commitment of the players. They gave everything from the start to the end. We finished the game with 10 men.
“But if I have to see a positive situation, it is that we had a step forward. We played in the Europa Conference League last year and weren't able to get out of the group stages. Now we took a step forward but it is not enough and if we want to be competitive, we have to fight."
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Conte branded last week's FA Cup fifth round defeat “unacceptable” but insisted: “Tonight there was a big difference in the level of opponent. I don't like to lose but it happens in this type of situation against a big team. It's not easy and I feel sorry for the supporters.”
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Conte has only reached the last eight in the Champions League once as a coach – with Juventus 10 years ago – and on this timid evidence, it's not hard to see why. He refused to speculate on his job prospects beyond the end of the season but added: “This is not the day to speak about my future.
“I have a contract with Tottenham and at the end of the season we will meet and make a decision. Since I started here I have said the same things – we need time and patience to build a solid foundation and improve the team. The club know very well what is my vision.”
Tottenham's shrinking violets didn't even force a meaningful save from Milan keeper Mike Maignan until Harry Kane 's stooping header deep into stoppage time. And after Cristian Romero's late red card, Conte's decision to hook winger Dejan Kulusevsi for defender Davinson Sanchez was greeted by a concerto of boos.
Former Spurs striker Peter Crouch delivered a damning verdict on BT Sport, saying: "What is the point of getting in the top four if you're going to perform like this in the Champions League?”
Milan's former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud said: "It's a great result. I told the players that we deserved to be in the Champions League and we wanted to do well in it.
“We made it to the last 16 and we deserved this result, even though we could have scored more. We showed quality, spirit, and we could have won tonight as well."