Conte: Messi made the difference but I am very proud of my players

ANTONIO CONTE believes Lionel Messi was the main difference between his Chelsea team and Barcelona over the two legs of their Champions League round of 16 encounter.

Lionel Messi racked up his 100th Champions League goal of his career as his brace, either side of Ousmane Dembele’s strike, helped to secure a 3-0 victory on the night, 4-1 on aggregate.

“I think tonight and across the two legs, I think Messi made the difference,” said Conte (pictured).

“As you know very well we are talking about the best player in the world. I think over the two legs we were a bit unlucky because we hit the post four times and in our best moment they scored, they were very, very clinical tonight. I think we created many chances but we didn’t take them.

“We are talking about a player that every season, finishes every season with 60 goals. We are not talking about a top player, but a super top player.

“He made the difference but at the same time we have no regrets. I’m very proud of my players because they gave everything tonight and maybe we didn’t deserve to lose 3-0.”

Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets does not believe a Premier League club will ever prise Messi away from the Nou Camp.

“I think he feels at home here,” he said. When you feel at home with all the things you have here – this is a big club, with good players next to you, you win different trophies, this is a good project, economically he’s doing well.

“All of this is positive. It’s difficult to find this in other places.

“We know the Premier League is a spectacular league. We would like to play there, but if you take all the

positives and all the negatives, it’s very difficult to leave Barcelona.

“If you feel at home and you’re from Barcelona it’s difficult to change.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois accepted he was to blame for Barca’s opener, saying: “Individual mistakes cost us in both legs.

“I didn’t expect Messi to shoot from there and I was too late to close my legs so that was a mistake on my part. It’s not nice to start an evening like that.

“For a goalkeeper like me from two metres, it’s my weakest point between my legs. Even if I’m standing in a normal position there’s a lot of space in between.

“It’s annoying but I don’t think I have to hide inside. I have to come out and be a man and show you made a mistake and move on.

“I made some good saves as well, but it’s unlucky to go out to four goals where we made four mistakes.”

Marcos Alonso felt Chelsea were unfortunate after striking the woodwork three times and creating numerous opportunities.

The Blues full-back told BT Sport: “We knew they have top players and we cannot give them one metre because then they can create and score.

“I think we were a little bit unlucky also with the first two goals and also we hit the post three times.

“We had so many chances in both games and they were the better team but we were unlucky. I think we competed well and we have to keep training and get better.

“They were not comfortable in the first half and we just missed the chances. It could have been 2-2 at least at half-time but it was 2-0 and in a stadium like this, against this team, it isn’t easy to come back.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)