E-Paper
Conte theatrics a boon for Italy and Chelsea fans
MONTPELLIER: A “great” Italian feat toppled Spain at Euro 2016, but Antonio Conte’s touchline theatrics were just as dramatic for Italy and Chelsea fans during an
MONTPELLIER: A “great” Italian feat toppled Spain at Euro 2016, but Antonio Conte’s touchline theatrics were just as dramatic for Italy and Chelsea fans during an emphatic 2-0 win over the defending champions.
Former Juventus coach Conte was widely applauded on Tuesday for transforming a “mediocre” squad of players into contenders in France.
But as Italy’s fans hailed a brilliant collective performance that avenged their 4-0 hammering to Spain in the 2012 final, Conte’s energetic, and sometimes hilarious touchline antics had Chelsea fans champing at the bit.
As Spain coach Vicente del Bosque sat on the bench patiently waiting for a reaction to Giorgio Chiellini’s 33rd-minute opener, Conte was constantly on his feet, screaming at players and officials and gesticulating wildly at almost every kick of the ball.
When a UEFA official was slow to respond to Conte’s request to help him make a substitution in the second half, the Italian unashamedly screamed at him: “Faster! Faster!”
Conte’s emotions ran over in hilarious fashion in the 75th minute when an angry reaction saw him take a dramatic swipe at the ball and kicking it into touch.
And when Graziano Pelle hit Italy’s second goal to seal their win at the death, Conte’s epic celebration saw him sprint to jump on to the roof of the dugout to salute fans.
It was later jokingly suggested he had covered as much ground as his players on their way to ending Spain’s hopes of a historic third consecutive trophy.
Conte admitted: “Our fitness coach did suggest hooking me up to GPS to see how many kilometres I cover, and at what intensity.”
It is no wonder, after Chelsea finished the Premier League season in 10th place to miss out on Europe, Blues fans can’t wait for his arrival. “Don’t think I’ve been this excited to see a manager at Chelsea in a long time!!!” said Twitter user Tweet Chelsea FC.
“Start the season now please,” begged another Chelsea follower, @CFCInAmerica. Another is already looking forward to a potentially combustible Premier League rivalry between Conte and newly-appointed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
“Oh De a r, #Conte v #Mourinho will be good for the eyes. Touchline drama!!!” said @julietbawuah.
