Conference Call: A disappointing defeat
NEWS SUN 25 FEB 2018
Antonio Conte says his team must become better at holding on to leads after we let slip another advantage to lose against Manchester United at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Like against Barcelona in midweek, Willian fired us ahead and deservedly so, as the Blues were much the better team for most of the first half.
But a Romelu Lukaku goal shortly before the break was added to by substitute Jesse Lingard with a quarter-of-an-hour to play, inflicting a third league defeat in four games on Conte’s men. He spoke afterwards about the top four race, two of his attacking players and, firstly, how we can improve…
‘We are disappointed with the final result,’ Conte began. ‘We had a great chance to get three points against a competitor for a place in the Champions League, but in the end we are talking about another defeat.
'When you have this type of situation, you have to manage the game better, and you must be able, with experience and maturity, to get three points.
‘Instead we are talking about a loss. We are very disappointed about this.’
We finish the weekend in fifth place and Conte considered the chance of not finishing in a Champions League place
‘It’s a possibility, for sure. I am repeating the same concept many times. In this league getting a place in the Champions League is not simple. This country has the only championship where you can find six teams who start the season by fighting to win the title or getting a place in the Champions League. It’s very hard for every team.
‘There is this risk. We must be ready to be concentrated, and to understand this target is an important target for us, but it won’t be easy.’
Conte spoke about his decision to withdraw Eden Hazard with 73 minutes played
‘It was a tactical decision. You have to keep the same performance for 90 minutes. We didn’t have a great balance. Every single player has to try to work with and without the ball, otherwise we lose our balance and then we lose the game.
‘His [Hazard’s] energy finished. In the first half he ran a lot, and in the second half he started in the same way, but when I see a player is a bit tired my task is to find a different solution.’
Alvaro Morata was denied a late equaliser by the offside flag, and the decision looked harsh
‘This type of situation can change the final result. For this reason, I am very positive about introducing VAR, especially in England. We need to have this new system to help the referee and avoid big mistakes.’
It was Morata’s first start since the draw with Leicester six weeks ago
‘He played for 90 minutes. Like the other players, he tried to give everything for the team. For sure he can improve a lot.
‘I go game by game. Today it was the best decision for the team. It’s very important for us to have balance offensively and defensively this season. If we think only to attack and not defend, we risk every time conceding a goal and losing the game.’
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