In the pre-match battle of who’s the bigger underdog in Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte would like to have the final word and claim victory.
Just as Pochettino built up Chelsea as the big bad of the Premier League, our squad full of seasoned winner sitting atop the table for much of the season, and positioned Spurs as the plucky little underdog doing things the right way, the non-artificial way (whatever that means), Conte has pulled down that veil of shyness (hubba hubba) to expose Spurs as “a great power” of English football. Don’t be shy, lads. Show us what you got.
“Tottenham must finish being considered underdogs. They are a great power in English football. This is the third year for them working together and it’s the right moment to finish talking about themselves as an underdog and find this excuse.”
“Tottenham is a great team and they are, for the second consecutive year, fighting for the title. Last season they missed this, and this season they’re trying again. In the future Tottenham will stay to fight in every game for the title. They are full of great players. They are building something important and this is their third year.”
“There is a moment to finish considering yourself an underdog. This is the right moment.”
-Antonio Conte; source: Chelsea FC
Speaking of underdogs, you know who’s an underdog and just a work in progress? Chelsea! That’s right, Chelsea! Building building building, improving improving improving. That’s what we do. Nothing to see here. Building for a new generation, building from the ashes of last year’s 10th place finish, building for some stability, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...
Not sure if any of these pre-match cordials have any effect on the pressure weighing down both teams (or, alternatively, inspiring them to greater heights), but with bookies split right down the middle as well, let’s just say both teams are favorites, and both teams are underdogs.
Alas, someone will go home unhappy tomorrow.