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Conte: United kicked Hazard, this tactic just isn’t football
ANTONIO CONTE accused Manchester United of trying to kick Chelsea and eden Hazard off the park last night as his team booked an FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.
‘For 20 or 25 minutes, it was impossible for Hazard to play football,’ said the Italian manager in a swipe at the tactics of ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. ‘I see only that he got a lot of kicks. He started the game receiving kicks and he finished receiving kicks.’
N’Golo Kante’s 51st-minute strike was enough to secure victory against United, who had Ander Herrera sent off in a heated first half, during which an angry Conte and Mourinho had to be separated by fourth official Mike Jones. Both were then lectured by referee Michael Oliver, who
had issued a second yellow card — and red — to Herrera for another clumsy foul on Hazard. But Conte was infuriated by what he perceived as United’s overly-aggressive tactics and he let rip after the final whistle. ‘My point of view is this: they’ve got to play football, and my players want to play football. But I don’t think I’m crazy. ‘Hazard, for 25 minutes, it was impossible for him to play football. Only kicking. No one person can say this did not happen. Was that United’s tactic? I don’t know. But this tactic, to play by going to kick the opponent, does not exist. It’s not football for me. ‘I don’t think this can be a tactic. This is the truth. Everyone saw this. I think sometimes, when you play against players with great talent, you try to intimidate these players. I think the referee must protect this type of player.’ Conte’s point was underlined last night as footage emerged of Marcos Rojo stamping on Hazard late in the second half. The managerial duo did not shake hands after the final whistle but did speak to each other in the tunnel after the game. And Conte played down their earlier altercation, by saying: ‘I think that, for the fourth official tonight it was hard work. ‘I think he was very good to manage this situation. But, for sure, it’s (the confrontation) normal when you play these types of games and there is a good target to reach, and everyone tried to do their best for their own team. ‘I repeat: for me, the most important thing is what happened on the pitch, the football that one team or the other is trying to play. What happens on the outside, for me, is only a circus. I think I controlled the emotions very well. I didn’t celebrate our goal. I controlled the emotions very well. It’s normal for me, as a coach, to try and do our best to push our team. The coaches are not important.’ On the draw against Spurs, Conte added: ‘Another strong game against a strong team. ‘We start with one win for us and one for them. We are 1-1. It will be an exciting game for the people and our fans. In this phase, Tottenham or Arsenal or City... the level is very high.’ Meanwhile, former Chelsea star Frank Lampard lavished praise on Kante. ‘I’d go so far as to say he’s the best central midfield player in the world right now,’ said Lampard.