Antonio Conte has explained that he stormed down the tunnel after his side’s last-minute winner at Bournemouth in fear that the goal could be ruled out by VAR.
The Italian boss was sent-off after the final whistle after his side’s last-minute goal against Sporting CP in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash in North London. He has now insisted that he needed to go somewhere calmer to digest the winner at Bournemouth, in case it was once again chalked off.
It was a pulsating encounter at the Vitality Stadium as Kieffer Moore scored either side of the break to give the Cherries a surprise two-goal lead over Spurs, who had lost each of their last two Premier League games. However, three goals in the final half-hour turned the game on its head.
Ryan Sessegnon reduced the arrears for the visitors just before the hour mark before Ben Davies equalised in the 73 rd minute and substitute Rodrigo Bentancur bagged an injury-time winner. It was at this juncture that Conte left the stadium to disappear down the tunnel, before returning.
Usually, Conte cuts an animated figure on the touchline and would have normally celebrated a last-gasp winner in exuberant fashion. But the Spurs boss did not seem happy with his side's overall display despite sparking a remarkable comeback. He did, however, make time to acknowledge the visiting fans after full-time.
“I came back when I knew the goal was regular,” Conte explained after the game. “I thought in my mind and my heart that I could have a heart attack because in two days to score and then have a goal disallowed.
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“I said I go down and then stay calm, and then I wait for the decision of the referee. But for sure, it was great to see the desire of my players and the reaction they had. I also repeat the nastiness they put into the pitch because I have seen in the eyes of my players the desire to win this game. Also, when we drew 2-2 and then in our mind, the only thought was to take the ball and start to play again.”
Conte added: “This reaction was really positive, and I want this from my players. There was a picture of you walking down the tunnel. We wondered if you'd gone and had enough of the game.”
