This is the latest Tottenham news around the globe with Conte already making changes to his team that played the first leg with Arsenal coaches by former Wolverhampton coach.
On Thursday, Tottenham will meet Arsenal in a critical match, and Antonio Conte will make some changes to the lineup that began at the Emirates earlier this season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s first and only North London Derby was a disaster, with Spurs losing 3-1.
The Lilywhites have gone a long way since then, not just with a new management but also with improved performances and results.
Their 1-1 draw against title contenders Liverpool demonstrated their drive and fighting spirit.
The North London Derby was initially set for January, but it was postponed after a request from the Arsenal camp.
Each teams had to wait a bit for a new date, but Thursday was chosen, and a huge three points are on the line for both in their push for a top-four berth.
Conte addressed the rearranged derby and postponement scenario earlier this year in his pre-match press conference. “It’s not productive to talk about what happened in the past today,” he conceded.
“Certainly, it was odd that our game was postponed for Covid, and Arsenal didn’t have a single player with Covid.”
Because the Premier League refused to relocate our game when we had nine or ten players with Covid, we lost 3-0 to Rennes.
“What occurred at the time was unjust. But it is now in the past, and we must concentrate on the present and strive for the greatest outcome possible “said the Italian.
Spurs just had a few days of preparation after the match before facing Burnley at noon on Sunday.
When asked about it in his press conference, Conte said it’s “tough to accept Premier League choices” at times, and that it’s not the best position for Tottenham, given that results show the club performs better when the manager has more preparation time.
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Since his arrival, Conte has used the same starting XI whenever possible. With ongoing injury issues, this hasn’t been simple.
The same players that were available for Liverpool would be available for the North London Derby, according to the 52-year-old.
This means Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga, Matt Doherty, and Sergio Reguilon will be unavailable for the Lilywhites.
Six changes are expected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday compared to the starting XI at the Emirates.
Some of the players have not yet arrived in London, while others have impressed since Conte’s arrival and in football. London investigates those rotations.
Defence
At the Emirates, Spurs used a back four consisting of Japhet Tanganga, Sergio Reguilon, Davinson Sanchez, and Eric Dier in the middle.
Only the latter of the four is expected to be participating on Thursday. Tanganga and Reguilon are both injured, so Conte is likely to stay with his preferred back three of Dier, Ben Davies, and Cristian Romero.
The two wing-backs will operate along the wings, and Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson Royal will fill those positions, as their opponents are both injured.
At Anfield, the defense built a formidable back line and dealt with the most of what a talented Liverpool front three threw at them.
The back trio made a total of 29 clearances and blocked eight shots, which is exactly what will be needed against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Midfield
Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, and Dele Alli formed the midfield three at the Emirates. Both are out of Conte’s options now that the former has completed a permanent move to Everton while Ndombele is still on loan at Lyon.
Hojbjerg made a couple of errors against Liverpool, the most egregious of which was a late header that he should have scored.
Apart from that, the Dane put in a strong effort and has been one of the players who has grown under Conte and has adapted well to playing alongside a variety of colleagues in the midfield.
Rodrigo Bentancur relocated to north London in January and has quickly established himself as a solid player.
The Uruguayan had an immediate impact in the Tottenham starting XI, boosted by Skipp’s absence, and has already began to show why he should be an important member of the side.
Bentancur has already contributed an assist in 14 Premier League games this season. The 24-year-old wasn’t the most powerful player on the field at Anfield, but he still made an effect, as he has since his arrival.
Attack
Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane, and Son Heung-min have all made significant contributions in recent games, so the front three against Arsenal on Thursday is set.
The South Korean has scored 20 goals in 32 league games this season, putting him only two goals behind Mohamed Salah in the standings.
Kane has had a number of quieter games recently, but he has still had an influence in the final third, producing two vital passes and shooting against Liverpool.
Kulusevski, Tottenham’s second January signing, has had an even bigger impression than Bentancur.
In 15 league games, the Swedish international has scored three goals and added eight assists.
The 22-year-old has settled into the Premier League fast and is proving difficult to replace in the starting lineup.
As a result, despite playing 90 minutes in the reverse encounter, Lucas Moura is likely to be rested for the derby.
This season, the Brazilian has put forth a mixed bag of performances, but Kulusevski’s consistency and influence have knocked him out of the starting lineup.
Conte will be aiming for a similar defensive performance as his team had against Liverpool, with more offensive guile thrown in, if he sticks with the same line-up.
Some Tottenham players just need to improve their decision-making, while the home side must ensure that they capitalize on the opportunities they produce in order to capture a much-needed three points against Arsenal.
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