Tottenham must learn to avoid defeat in unwinnable games, admits Antonio Conte after Brighton shock
- Planet Sport writer
- 16 April 2022
Tottenham’s top four hopes took a major hit as Leandro Trossard’s last-minute winner sealed a surprise victory for Brighton.
Antonio Conte's men were hoping to capitalise on the meandering form of their top four rivals, but instead found themselves frustrated by an impressive Brighton side.
Speaking after the 1-0 defeat, the Italian manager admitted that his side need to take lessons from this game. Most importantly, Conte wants his side to learn how to avoid defeat in games which they are not able to win.
He said: "It's a good opportunity for us also to cope with pressure, because when you arrive and then you know that you stay in a fantastic target for you.
"You're winning the league and you are first and then you have to cope with the pressure, with the other results and I think this is a good opportunity for us to improve because I think this group of players need it, no? They needed this type of examinations for improvement.
"For sure, not a good result for us and a lesson that we can learn today that there are games that if you're not able to win, you're not to lose.
"It was very clear that today it wasn't our day but I understand we wanted to try and get three points because it was very important for us to get three points playing before our rivals in the race for the Champions League."
Tottenham will be looking to reinvigorate their Champions League qualification hopes when they take on Brentford next weekend in a London derby.
Conte is still eyeing a top four finish, but wants his side to focus on the impressive run of form which helped them back into contention.
Spurs won four straight league games before their defeat to Brighton - a run which saw Conte's men move into fourth spot.
He said: "I think that you have to try to do much better than today. We have to know that we are in this race for the Champions League.
"I think not many people thought this, but we are in this race because we showed that we deserved to stay there. Now we have to continue. Once you are in a good position in the table you have to keep this position."
