WHOLE NEW BALL GAME
Extra workload will be a test for Conte
ANTONIO CONTE admits he is stepping into the unknown with Chelsea in the Champions League.
The Italian has had plenty of experience in the competition as a player and manager with Juventus and was part of the winning team in 1996.
However, he confesses that dealing with domestic and European demands in England is a completely different ball game.
“I played for a lot of years in this tournament and played in the final,” said the former midfielder.
“I won only one. It’s a great competition and we must be pleased to be back and proud to play in the competition.
“It is very important to have experience as a player and a coach in this competition to understand the level well.
“For me, this is something new. My previous experience was in Italy. It is not easy here.
“You play a medium team you can lose the game in the league. You know there are six or seven teams in this league fighting for the title. You are never relaxed in England.
“You have to play a tough league and then two cups. To play 60-65 games at a high level is not easy.”
With Arsenal due at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Conte will start fit-again playmaker Eden Hazard and star striker Alvaro Morata on the bench for the clash with Azerbaijan’s Qarabag tonight.
“Eden is in the squad and is working very well for the best physical condition,” said Conte.
“But I think he needs a bit more time to continue to improve and to not to take stupid risks with him.
“Morata is playing very well, scoring and totally involved in our style of football and improving a lot.
“But, don’t forget, he played the whole game with Spain (against Liechtenstein) and at Leicester.
“The risk could be to play with the same players I did against Leicester and then it would be, ‘Why didn’t you change the team?’.
“But we are ready and for this reason we must rotate all the squad.”
Captain Gary Cahill is desperate to play, having served a three-match ban following his red card in the seasonopening loss against Burnley.
“I feel like my season is just starting,” said the England centre-back. “I’m itching to play.”