Haunted by Euro woes, Conte eyes redemption

In-form Premier League champions hosts minnows Qarabag

Frustrated by his past failures in the Champions League, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has set his sights on a mission of redemption as he returns to the competition after a four-year absence.

Conte still bears the scars from a snowy night in Istanbul in 2013 when Juventus suffered a shock defeat against Galatasaray that sent the Italian giants crashing out of Europe’s elite club competition.

That embarrassing exit remains Conte’s last experience of the Champions League, but he will end that wait today when Chelsea host Azerbaijan minnows Qarabag in their Group C opener.

Having led Chelsea to the Premier League title last season, the 48-year-old would dearly love to bring the London club their second Champions League crown.

But bitter experience will remind Conte to take nothing for granted.

Fingers crossed

In his first Champions League campaign in 2012-13, Juventus were pitted against Conte’s future employers Chelsea, as well as Shakhtar Donetsk and Nordsjaelland.

Conte’s team won the group with an unbeaten run of three wins and three draws, including a 3-0 rout of holders Chelsea in Italy and a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

The Bianconeri cruised past Celtic in the last 16, with 3-0 and 2-0 victories dispatching the over-matched Scottish club.

With Chelsea in good form in the Premier League and key playmaker Eden Hazard back from injury, Conte is keeping his fingers crossed that Europe is kinder to him this time.