Antonio Conte has criticised Tottenham Hotspur after a dismal performance in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Wednesday night.
Spurs headed up to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening to take on Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils.
This could have been a real statement from Tottenham but they were completely lacklustre against an impressive United side.
Fred fired United in front before Bruno Fernandes curled a beauty into the Tottenham net, leaving Conte and co to head back to North London empty-handed.
Antonio Conte has criticised Tottenham Hotspur
This was another rather dull Tottenham display.
We can appreciate Conte’s history of winning games and trophies but it’s not exactly easy on the eye at the moment is it?
Dejan Kulusevski is being missed immensely, more than many realise, but that’s not enough of an excuse for these Tottenham displays.
Tottenham managed just two shots on target against United and got just nine shots away in total compared to 28 from United.
Son Heung-min didn’t get into the team, there wasn’t enough penetration from midfield and the wing backs couldn’t really test United.
After losing to Arsenal earlier this month, Tottenham have now lost another big game.
With Liverpool to come before the World Cup, Tottenham cannot keep losing to their top six rivals and expect to finish in the Champions League places.
Conte has now spoken about this situation and seven words from his press conference summed it all up.
“When the level is high we struggle,” said Conte, as quoted by Football London.
On the one hand, we’re still less than a year into Conte’s time at Tottenham and he has only had two transfer windows.
Yet having secured a top-four finish last season, this isn’t what Tottenham fans want to hear.
Tottenham just seem too passive in these games, hoping to soak up the pressure and find some magic through Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.
Is that all that different to how Jose Mourinho approached games with Tottenham?
Tottenham fans certainly seem frustrated with the style of play and the lack of attacking impetus in these big games.
If Conte can’t find an answer in the final third, Tottenham may well find themselves back out of the top four come May.
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