My men need to be much more clinical, says Conte
ANTONIO Conte is not concerned about Chelsea’s lack of goals after a second successive 0-0 draw, and feels their Carabao Cup semi-final with Arsenal is at “50-50” after a stalemate first leg at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian feels his side have still been creating enough chances to be encouraged that the goals will come, although admitted that more work in training may be required.
Chelsea did have the better of a mostly dull game, but struggled to find the finishing touch.
“I think we have the same probability to go and to play the final at Wembley, 50-50,” Conte said.
“Don’t forget, not to concede a goal at home could be very important for the second leg. At the same time, we know to play at the Emirates Stadium is not simple, not easy.
“We are ready. We deserved this opportunity to play the semi-final and we must be very happy to do this.
“I think it would be better to win the game. I think the positive thing is we didn’t concede
a goal, and when you play a semi-final with two games, to play at home and not concede could be important. Today we tried to win. We shot 20 times.
“We created chances to score but we didn’t take them. I think in the last period we must be more clinical and better offensively.
“Otherwise, if you don’t score, if you’re lucky the game finishes in a draw. After Norwich it’s the second 0-0 in a row.
“We have to reflect on this and try to improve during training sessions and try to improve in this situation.
“Honestly, I think you must be worried if you don’t create chances to score and it becomes very difficult to score. This team in every game creates chances to score.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed Jack Wilshere has sprained his ankle, and doesn’t know if he will be fit this weekend.
“At the moment we have five big injuries,” he said.
“The earliest to come back is Aaron Ramsey, and that is quite welcome because that is an area where we are quite short at the moment.”