Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has called out the club’s hierarchy for their decision to accept a 12pm kick-off against Burnley on Sunday following Thursday night’s crucial North London derby.
Spurs had the original date for their clash with Arsenal postponed in January following the Gunners’ inability to field enough players at the time, due to injuries, African Cup of Nations duties and one Covid-19 case, meaning the game was rearranged for May 12.
And although Tottenham were always set to play Burnley three days later, Conte has demanded that the Spurs hierarchy must pay “more attention” to their fixture schedule and that a “big club” would not have accepted a lunchtime kick-off.
Conte suggested the club’s hierarchy should not have accepted the situation so readily. "If I complain about it, I’m like other coaches in the past," he said, laughing. "You remember when [Arsenal boss Mikel] Arteta complained about this type of situation and I said coaches shouldn’t complain.
“Now could be my turn to complain because to play on Thursday night and then again the first game [on Sunday], you could wait and give us the last game and a bit more rest. It’s difficult sometimes to accept Premier League decisions, but if the club accepted it I have to. A top club have to pay attention to the fixtures.
“Before the game you don’t think this situation can cause you this type of trouble, but afterwards you realise it could affect the result and you are angry and it’s too late. You need to be angry before. The club has to pay more attention. If you want to win you have to take care about all the details because the details move the final result."
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Ahead of Thursday’s clash with the Gunners, in what will be the first North London derby played in front of fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs know that anything but a win could ultimately end their chances of a top four finish, due to them already being four points behind their rivals with three games to play.
A win for the visitors would secure their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League and end Tottenham’s hopes of finishing in the top four, but a victory for Conte’s men would put them one point behind Arsenal with two games to play, and a much more favourable run-in.
If that is the case, then Tottenham would not want fatigue or fitness levels to impact their ability to beat Burnley on Sunday, and should they fail to pick up a positive result against the Clarets, they will look back on their decision to play that fixture less than 72 hours after Thursday’s North London derby.
Nonetheless, Conte remains focused on completing the task at hand and is fully aware of the importance of beating their north London rivals this week, which will very much keep their season alive as they head into their final two fixtures of the campaign.
He said: "We are talking about an important game for many different situations. The first, and most important thing is, we’re playing this game for an important target - a place in the Champions League. I think this has to be the first reason to win this game.
“And for sure we know very well the importance for our fans of this north London derby. This is the first time that Tottenham is playing this game in their home stadium with fans. We know this."
