ANTONIO’S EURO FEAR
ANTONIO CONTE has warned that English teams will struggle to win the Champions League this season – because they are left knackered by the Premier League.
Chelsea face the toughest draw after being paired with Barcelona, renewing their long-running rivalry with the Spanish club.
Conte believes the Premier League is a force to be reckoned with again, especially with five teams in the last 16 but doubts whether any of them can go all the way.
Blues boss Conte, whose side face a nightmare fixture pile-up with away games at Barca and both Manchester clubs in the space of a month, said: “This first round shows a great power for the English teams.
“This is the reality because I think English teams dominated their groups. It means they are really strong, it’ll be difficult to face English teams especially in February.
“But then in March, April I don’t know because when you accumulate many games in the legs of the players it will be more difficult for English teams to reach something important.
“But at the same time this season could be the right one for a Premier League team to win the Champions League.
“It’s a draw and our reaction must be positive. As I know very well you must be ready to face everything and in this case you must be ready to face Barcelona.”
The two sides have been involved in some memorable battles as they have already met in five knockout ties and Chelsea beat Barca in the semi-final on the way to winning the trophy in 2012.
Barca won a controversial semi-final in 2009 when Chelsea were denied four penalty appeals and Didier Drogba got a European ban for a final whistle bust-up.
Jose Mourinho was also labelled an “enemy of football” after a bitter clash in the Nou Camp in 2005.
They have a lot of history but incredibly Lionel Messi has never scored against Chelsea and now Eden Hazard will be desperate to take centre stage.
Conte added: “The past is the past. This type of game is a good chance for every player to show the right value.
“Not only for Hazard but for sure every player has to play in the right way.”
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