BRIGHTON, England : Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte said his team found it difficult to play against Brighton & Hove Albion after the death of their fitness coach but Saturday's victory showed he could always count on his squad to rise to the occasion.
Conte was visibly emotional during the minute's applause prior to kickoff while captain Hugo Lloris held up a shirt with Ventrone's name to the travelling support following the 1-0 win that moved Spurs to within three points of the top of the table. "It was really tough for us. Tomorrow is the funeral, we will go with the staff. It is very difficult for me to speak about the situation because it is difficult to understand what happened.