CONTE GOES ON COUNTER-ATTACK OVER TACTICS
ANTONIO Conte has hit back at critics of his tactical style and those keen to brand Chelsea as a ruthless counter-attacking machine by revealing he never coaches to play on the counter-attack.
Jose Mourinho damned his former club with faint praise and issued a reminder that he was criticised for playing a similar way when in charge at Stamford Bridge. “Chelsea is an amazing defensive team,” Mourinho said.
“I am surprised… I thought they were demanding a different kind of football.”
Conte will not mind as his team keep winning. “I have to tell you one thing,” said the Chelsea manager. “Not only here, but I never, ever, ever train for the counter-attack. Never prepare for the counter-attack. Never.
“The counter-attack is an option, above all if you have players who are very, very fast. Also, Diego Costa is a counter-attacking man, and Willian and Pedro. But for me, it’s important to train the other aspects. If you stay for 70 minutes in your opponents’ half you must know what to do, otherwise you are in trouble. You have to be prepared to play in different parts of the pitch.
“It is very difficult to train counter-attacking and it is not my priority.”
Ten points clear at the top of the Premier League, Conte has his eyes on the double in his first season. Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Manchester United in October helped to banish the lingering affection for Mourinho from Stamford Bridge.
“He is one of the best in the world and, here, he did a great job,” said Conte. “I think every single fan must respect him.
“Jose Mourinho wrote a good part of the history of Chelsea. He won a lot with the players. His history was great. He did a great job here in Chelsea. It is important, always, not to forget this.”
Conte can emulate another Italian, Carlo Ancelotti, if he can complete the League and Cup double in his first season in English football. Chelsea have won the FA Cup seven times, four at the new Wembley, but not since 2012.
“For me, it’s not important to think about winning the double,” said Conte. “It’s important for me, and above all my players, to play game by game and see at the end what we reached at the end of the season.
“The way is very long. But, for sure, winning helps you win.” – Daily Mail