Conte on Hazard, Guardiola, facing Man City and improving the ‘negative things’ in Bakayoko’s game
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was asked about a number of issues at a news conference on Friday ahead of this weekend’s game against Manchester City. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
Conte on Sergio Aguero’s car accident
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“I am sorry for this situation. I hope he is feeling good. Usually when you have this type of situation, it is not good. I hope he stays well.”
On Eden Hazard
“He is an important player. Last season he had an important season and played very well. He performed as a top player. Now I think we managed very well his recovery.
“We respect the right time to give him the possibility to start in a big game. The coach and staff has to take the best decision for the player, the team and the club. Now he is fit. He played a really good game at against Atletico Madrid and I am really happy for him.
“If he was able to play one game like the last game it means he is ready to play. But I have to make the best decision for the team.”
On David Luiz’s suspension
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“David Luiz is a very important player and for sure it is a big loss, but I think Andreas Christensen is playing very well and showing that he is a really good player. He is a young player but with good maturity and good experience and I am happy with his performances.”
On the win against Atletico Madrid
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“It was a really good performance because we showed a great personality and maturity against a team that is very difficult to play against. To come back from 1-0 down is not simple. In this situation they prefer to defend and score another goal on the counter-attack. This type of game increases our confidence.”
On Tiémoué Bakayoko
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“Bakayoko is 100% fit and is playing very well. For sure he has a lot of room for improvement. He’s a young player and sometimes he makes good things and negative things.
“We have to try to work together to increase the positive things during games, but he is showing is a really good player and an important player for us.”
On the Bakayoko-Kante partnership
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“In every game you must consider game by game and make the best decision for the game. It is important to find the right balance. Sometimes you can make different decisions.”
On Alvaro Morata’s great form
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“I am not surprised because I know Alvaro very well, but to go into this league is not simple and you need time to adapt. I am pleased for him because he is playing very well and scoring and is totally in our style of football. He is improving a lot his physical condition. It is important to continue this way.
“It is his first chance to pay regularly. Previously, at Juventus and Real Madrid, he didn’t. Now he has this responsibility and this pressure and he is responding very well.”
On City and Pep Guardiola
“We know very well his team like to have possession and dominate the game – to have a lot of possession to create many chances to score. I think he tries to create his squad with a lot of technical, creative players to try to bring his ideas on the pitch.
“Manchester City is a really good team, but also last season it was the same. This season they improved a lot with good signings. They started very well, are in a great moment with great confidence and we have to pay great attention.
“Don’t forget that the last game was really tough and this is a really important game. Every single player performed very well but I have to check their physical condition and then make the best decision.
“It is only two days from the last game but I think we are ready. We are excited to play in this type of game.
“City are a really good team and have a lot of experience, but we are playing at home and for us our fans will try to push us from the start to the end and I think their support will be very important.”
