'A crazy game' - Conte experiences chaotic start as Tottenham manager, asks for patience

Spurs were 3-0 up in Europa Conference League match against Vitesse before holding on to 3-2 victory

Tottenham Hotspur's new manager Antonio Conte celebrates after their third goal against Vitesse in the Europa Conference League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Reuters

Antonio Conte talks to Harry Kane during the Europa Conference League Group G match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. PA

Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur embraces manager Antonio Conte. Getty

Tottenham's Son Heung-min, right, celebrates with Tottenham's Harry Kane after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa Conference League group G soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and SBV Vitesse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 . (AP Photo / Frank Augstein)

Son Heung-Min scores at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Getty

Lucas Moura of Tottenham celebrates after scoring during the Europa Conference League group G match against Vitesse in London. EPA

Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura scores on Thursday. Reuters

Vitesse Arnhem's Danilho Doekhi fouls Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane before being shown a red card. Reuters

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte experienced extreme highs and lows in his very first assignment as he witnessed his team battle their way to a 3-2 win in the Europa Conference League Group G match against Vitesse Arnhem.

The Spurs were 3-0 up inside 30 minutes in London after Son Heung-Min's opener, a Lucas Moura strike and Jacob Rasmussen's own goal.

However, Rasmussen redeemed himself by scoring again - this time at the right end. Then, Matus Bero made it 3-2 before the break. When Cristian Romero was sent off on the hour, Spurs were well and truly feeling the pressure but two Vitesse red cards in succession eased the pressure.

Conte was pleased with the result, but not the route taken to reach it.

"My first impression, a crazy game because we were winning 3-0 and I think we were dominating the game, created many chances to score other goals," he was quoted as saying by the Press Association.

"Instead in 10 minutes we conceded two goals. In that moment, we lost a bit of confidence. I think we have to work also in this aspect. But we should win and we won. For sure."

However, the Italian manager, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo, says the team will take time to become consistent again.

"We need time. We need time to work. We need time to work," Conte added. "This is the only aspect that, not I'm afraid, but I'd like to have time to work.

"This time and I, we need to work together to bring them my idea of football and to work tactical aspects, physical aspects, to know them, much better than now.

"This is the only aspect that I am a bit scared, a bit afraid. But I know that there is this type of situation, and for this reason, we need a bit of patience. And I know that I have to be patient. Because is a situation that we don't have too much time to work."