Chelsea boss Antonio Conte spoke about a number of issues at a media conference ahead of the game against Manchester City. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
“The injuries are the same. Bakayoko, Luiz and also Ampadu.”
“For sure the training sessions in this situation is not simple. It is not simple to have perfect conditions but we tried to work and prepare for the game against Manchester City.”
“I think last season Manchester City was always a fantastic team but after one season then the manager tried to improve the quality of the starting 11 and the squad and this is the result.
“We must have great admiration for this team because they are doing and having a fantastic path in the season.
“Sometimes it is very difficult to find a weakness in this team but I think that when you work very well and there is a great feeling between the manager and the club you can work in the way that you want and to try to improve your team and the best way.
“Manchester City has the possibility to spend a lot of money and when you link the two situations – a good manager and much money to spend in the transfer market – and the same ambition then this is the final result.
“They have the possibility to spend money and improve the quality of the starting 11 and the quality of the squad. In this league, for the other teams, they have to pay great attention to Manchester City because Manchester City is a fantastic reality.
“When there is a confidence and money spend then one plus one is two.”
“This is not a question for me about the ambition. The club has to show ambition, not the coach. The coach has to work every day, to try to work very hard.
“Every club has to understand which is the target of the club. Every team must have their own target before the season and to try to reach this target. For every team this could be different.
“For us, in this moment, we have to try to get a place in the Champions League. It won’t be easy because many teams are very strong. We must be ready to fight.”
“In this moment to see an advantage against a team like Manchester City is very difficult.
“We have to prepare in the right way and have to have all the players in good form and to try to fight for a good result. In this moment they seem unstoppable.
“When you play this type of game against this type of team and they show to be very strong you have to have a plan in your mind to stop them with a tactical plan otherwise you risk to lose in a bad way.”
“We have to find if there are weaknesses in this team and try to work on this weakness. It is not simple to find a weakness in this team. We have to find the best way to play against them.
“The most important thing in every game is to have a tactical plan offensively and defensively. You must be focused on your team but it is important not to lose the balance. If you want to win you must have a great balance in every moment of the game.”
“I have already answered this. Nothing has changed compared to the past. My answer didn’t change.”
“Ross this week trained with us and now he has recovered from his injury and he will come us with us for Manchester City. I don’t know if I will find a place on the bench or wait.”
“He has to work to recover the best form after an injury on his back. He has to work and to have patience and we must have patience, but the only way is to work.”
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barkley will have to start tomorrow