After EPL, Conte eyes FA Cup
London, May 22: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has immediately turned his attention to matching fellow Italian Carlo Ancelotti by winning the ‘Double’ in England after his record-breaking team were presented with the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The west London club, crowned champions of England for the sixth time in their history, enjoyed a party after two goals from substitute Michy Batshuayi and strikes from Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro saw them come from 1-0 down to beat Sunderland 5-1 on an emotionally-charged last day of the Premier League season.
The celebrations cannot last too long, however, because Conte’s side, who became the first team to win 30 league games in a 38-game top flight season in England, have only six days to wait until playing the FA Cup final against London rivals Arsenal at Wembley on May 27.
If Conte can inspire Chelsea to victory there, he will match the achievements of Ancelotti who guided Chelsea to a Double in 2009/10.
However, they will need to re-focus quickly against an Arsenal side looking to make up for the disappointment of missing out on a place in the Champions League.
“This is the real danger for us — to think that this season is finished,” warned Conte.
“It’s important to celebrate as we did today, enjoying this moment with our families and fans, and celebrate this title because it wasn’t easy.
“But as of tomorrow, I’ll try and push a lot to explain that this season could become not just great but fantastic if we are able to win the FA Cup. It’s a great opportunity to win the Double.”