says that Tottenham needs its supporters more than ever for Thursday night’s pivotal North derby against .
Spurs host the Gunners in a game that could decide who finishes in the top four and qualifies for next season’s .
With just three games remaining, Arsenal are fourth, four points ahead of Spurs, and victory for Mikel Arteta’s men would guarantee their return to Europe’s top competition after a five-year absence.
The importance of the match cannot be understated, and Conte has called on supporters to make the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as loud as possible to help spur on his side.
‘I hope to breathe a fantastic atmosphere, like the last game in Anfield,’ the Italian said at his pre-match press conference.
‘Our fans have to push us from the start until the end, in positive or negative moments, they have to stay with us, and we have to try to overcome this obstacle together.’
Spurs’ draw at Liverpool last Saturday, while not an ideal result, was still highly praised and Conte thanked the travelling support for helping them earn a well-deserved point.
Arsenal have won their last four matches in a row and will go into the derby as slight favourites but crucially, the Lilywhites haven’t lost a North London derby at home since 2015.
‘I understand the importance [of the derby], and the rivalry between the two teams,’ Conte added.
‘But a derby is two games in a season, and a big team has to think that you have to win the derby, not because it’s your rival, but because you get three points, and these points bring you [nearer] to winning something important at the end of the season.
‘It’s not only about being focused on beating your rival. Winning a derby has to be a way to reach an important target.
‘There is a big rivalry. The players know very well, and we want to give satisfaction to our fans, and we’ll try to do our best.’
This will be the first North London derby at Spurs’ new stadium in front of a capacity crowd and the club will be marking the occasion with a tifo display reading ‘Dare, Dream, Do’ in the single-tier South Stand ahead of kick-off.
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