Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte was happy with his side’s extra-time victory over Leicester City that helped them progress to the FA Cup semi-final and said that it wasn’t easy for them to play 120 minutes in this way, and in this weather, especially after a Champions League game.
“We must be pleased with the character we showed in this game against a really good team with great talent. After a Champions League game, it wasn’t easy for us to play 120 minutes in this way, and in this weather. We fought a lot and we showed great desire and will to fight, and will to reach the semi-final for the second time in a row,” Conte said after the match.
According to www.chelseafc.com, Conte was pleased with Alvaro Morata’s goal that gave Chelsea the lead and said, “For a striker, it’s very important to score. At the same time, I am very pleased with his overall performance. He played a good game and showed great character and strength. This goal will be very important for the future.”
Talking about Pedro, Conte said, “He scored a header here last season too! It’s great for him and the team. Pedro is another player who is putting everything in at every moment if he starts or comes on. I am very happy for him.”
Explaining why he withdrew Tiemoue Bakayoko, Willian and Andreas Christensen, the head coach said, “Baka got a yellow card, and we are talking about a player with great physicality. In a game like this, you have to prevent a second yellow card. For this reason, I decided to change him. Willian was very tired. Willi played a fantastic game with and without the ball, and he is in fantastic physical condition. It was the same [tiredness] for Christensen after the Barcelona game when we spent a lot of energy.”
Conte said that his team must be ready to fight to try to reach the final at Wembley for the second time in a row. “When you arrive at this point of the tournament it’s very difficult to consider an easy game. Don’t forget Man City were eliminated against Wigan. We must be ready to fight to try to reach the final at Wembley for the second time in a row. It will be very important for us, but we must know Southampton will have the same idea. We want to give the best satisfaction to our fans who pushed us a lot today. I want to say thanks to them,” he was quoted by the official website of Chelsea FC.