Antonio Conte refuses to criticise Huddersfield’s defensive tactics after draw scuppers Chelsea’s top four hopes

Conte even complimented Huddersfield for getting the point they required to stay in the Premier League

Miguel Delaney
Stamford Bridge
Wednesday 09 May 2018 22:58 BST
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Antonio Conte's Chelsea career could be coming to an end
Antonio Conte's Chelsea career could be coming to an end

Antonio Conte says he had full respect for Huddersfield Town’s tactics in a frustrating night at Stamford Bridge, as he complimented them for getting the point they required to stay in the Premier League.

Although the Italian insisted that Chelsea would still try to qualify for the Champions League, a 1-1 draw on Wednesday means it is highly likely they won’t make it, after David Wagner’s sat back for most of the game and then naturally engaged in a lot of time-wasting. Although many of the Chelsea players were visibly irritated by that - particularly with Willian almost pushing Tommy Smith off when the latter was substituted - but Conte had no complaints after the match.

“But we must respect Huddersfield,” the Italian said. “For sure, they started this game with only one targeting their mind: to take one point. For this reason, they wanted to defend very deep. I think we must give a best compliment to Huddersfield for this result. We had the chances to score, but we didn't take them. But congratulations to Huddersfield, the players and the manager and the club, for them.”

Conte praised the commitment of his own players, but lamented a familiar problem this season, as they again proved wasteful in front of goal.

“It's very difficult to explain the draw today because when you have 82% possession, and create many chances, concede only counter-attack, and draw the game... it's very difficult to explain. But we must accept the result. We must accept staying fifth in the table. But it's a pity because, also today, I saw a fantastic commitment from my players. They tried to get three points. But they weren't able to score one goal more than our opponent. Football is simple. If you want to win, you have to score one goal more than your opponent. We weren't able to do this.

“I’m realistic. I think that, at the end of the season, you finish in the position you deserve. We dropped too many points this season. If we stay fifth in the table, it means we deserve to stay in this position.”

Part of Chelsea’s performance may have been down to the manager’s initial decision to rest Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud before bringing them on once 1-0 down, but he insisted that was necessary rotation and shouldn’t be an issue.

“I did the rotation also against Burnley. To make rotation, it means playing with players like [Alvaro] Morata, Willian and [Andreas] Christensen, players who usually are in the line-up from the start. It's stupid if we think rotation was a problem. We are Chelsea. We have a big squad and players who can play the whole game, but they must win. At Burnley we won the rotation was good. We spent a lot of energy against Liverpool. People said that line-up was not good, but we won. This is football.”

Conte refused to be drawn on his own future, but similarly refused to rule out finishing in the top four, as he stressed the need to keep momentum for the FA Cup final against Manchester United. To qualify for the Champions League, Chelsea need to beat Newcastle United away from home and hope Liverpool lose to Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield.

Chelsea now look likely to miss out on the top four

“The situation wasn't in our hands before this game and, for sure, the possibility is less now after this game. At the same time, we have to try. We have to try to do our best. Like today. We played an intense game, with great desire to get three points. But we weren't able to win the game today. That's football.

“Now [next season] is not important. We have to finish this season and be focused on that. We have another game to play, and the FA Cup final, and then there is the club – for sure – who will do the best to improve the situation.”

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