Tottenham Hotspur director Fabio Paratici explains how he and Antonio Conte helped change the London club and get them back in the Champions League. ‘Antonio has given a very, very clear outline to the squad.’
They open their group phase visiting Olympique Marseille at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
This is a reunion too for ex-Juventus men Paratici, Conte and Marseille coach Igor Tudor, who was a player, assistant manager and also talent scout for the Old Lady.
“It is very satisfying to see people who worked with you do so well, as I must always thank those who worked at my side over the years. Seeing them progress, go to other countries, other clubs and have important roles is satisfying for me and for Juventus, which is always a good school to learn from,” Paratici told Sky Sport Italia.
“The club has been right behind our ideas, Antonio has given a very, very clear outline to the squad. This is an enormous club, the fans are numerous. Maintaining an idea and bringing in a winning mentality, those are the toughest and most important things when joining a new club.”
Ivan Perisic won the Scudetto at Inter, but Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur struggled to make their mark at Juventus, now flourishing at Tottenham Hotspur.
“Some players do well in Milan and not in Turin, when they are only a few kilometres apart. Sometimes motivation makes a big difference, players feel the need to make a change.
“Bentancur played 200 games for Juve and 50 for Boca Juniors, he’s 24 and played in two World Cups. Sometimes if a player spends too long at a club he can need a change, the style of football, there are many different reasons. They have settled in well here and we hope they continue like this.”