Conte salutes players’ spirit as Chelsea go the extra mile
Antonio Conte praised the character of his Chelsea players and striker Alvaro Morata after yesterday’s FA Cup quarter-final win at Leicester.
Morata ended a 13-game run without a goal with his first since Boxing Day in a 2-1 win secured by Pedro’s extra-time header. The Blues will face Southampton in next month’s semi-final.
Conte’s satisfaction was because Chelsea lost 3-0 at Barcelona on Wednesday to exit the Champions League, meaning the FA Cup is their last remaining chance of silverware this season. And his side responded from conceding to Jamie Vardy 14 minutes from the end of normal time to advance.
“We must be pleased for the character we showed in this game against a really good team,” Conte said. “After a game in Champions League it wasn’t easy for us to play 120 minutes in this way. We fought a lot against Leicester. We showed great desire, great will.
“For Alvaro it was very important to score. I’m very pleased with his performance. He played a very good game, he showed great character, he showed to be stronger. I think this goal will be very important for the future for us.”
Willian and Andreas Christensen were replaced in extratime due to fatigue after their midweek exertions and Pedro made the most of his opportunity, converting N’golo Kante’s cross. Conte added: “It’s great for him and the team. Pedro is another player who puts in every moment everything for the team, if he starts the game or if he comes in during the game. I’m very happy for him.”
Chelsea reached the FA Cup final last term, losing to
0 Pedro kicks the corner flag after scoring his extra-time winner. Arsenal at the end of Conte’s first season in charge but the Italian refused to look ahead to the prospect of reaching another Wembley showpiece.
He added: “Every game is very difficult, it will be very difficult against Southampton.”
Leicester complained at the end to referee Craig Pawson, apparently upset at perceived time-wasting by Chelsea and the lack of additional time.
Foxes boss Claude Puel said: “It’s a big disappointment. We deserved a fairer result at the end. It’s harsh for my squad because they gave their best.”
Pedro out-jumped Ben Chilwell and Marc Albrighton to score a goal Kasper Schmeichel might have prevented had the keeper not come off his line. “We cannot blame Kasper for the second goal. He’s been fantastic since the beginning, and made fantastic saves in the game,” Puel added.