Rodrigo Bentancur has hailed Gian Piero Ventrone for the impact he had on him personally and insisted that the Spurs players are reaping the benefits of the fitness work that the Italian did with them.
In just over ten months that he spent as Tottenham’s fitness coach, Ventrone seems to have left a major mark on everyone at the club, especially the players.
Before their Champions League match with Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, a floral tribute was placed on the Spurs bench at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – alongside a similar wreath from visiting captain Sebastian Rode.
Fans and players came together for a few minutes of applause in honour of Ventrone ahead of kick-off.
Bentancur has now remarked that all of Tottenham’s victories this season will be for their deceased fitness coach.
The midfielder told Sky Sports about Ventrone: “He was a great person. In the short time we shared together, he helped us a lot, as much on a personal level as on a professional level.
“He always had advice to give, whoever it was he was talking to, and the truth is it was a big blow for all of us. Now, we hope he rests in peace. All our victories will be for him.”
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Bentancur stated that the Tottenham players have a different gear to go to during the second halves of matches, thanks to the work that they did with the 62-year-old during pre-season.
He added: “I am a player who prefers to run more during games than in training but Gian Piero did an extraordinary job with us. We suffered in pre-season, running so much, but now you can see the benefits of that work.”
“All of that is thanks to Gian Piero. We get into the second halves of games now and we always feel stronger. He was a brilliant person and he will always be in our hearts.”
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Based on Hojbjerg’s words a few days ago (Football.London) and what Bentancur has said here, there is no doubt that the players are playing for Ventrone this season.
If the Lilywhites do win silverware this season, the 62-year-old would have played a huge part in the team’s success, given how he helped transform the squad’s fitness.
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