Antonio Conte: Chelsea boss says top-four push 'won't be easy' after loss at Man Utd

Last updated on 25 February 2018.From the section Chelsea104

Conte 'disappointed' with second-half display

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte conceded "it won't be easy" for his side to finish in the top four of the Premier League after a 2-1 loss at Manchester United.

The Blues slipped to fifth as Tottenham climbed into the Champions League places with a win at Crystal Palace.

Spurs are two points clear of last season's champions with 10 games left.

"There is this risk," said Conte. "We must be ready to be concentrated, and to understand this target is an important target for us."

Willian put Chelsea in front at Old Trafford but goals from former Blues striker Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard took United back up to second in the table.

Chelsea's next match is against runaway leaders Manchester City next Sunday (16:00 GMT), a day after Tottenham take on Huddersfield (15:00 GMT).

"In this league, getting a place in the Champions League is not simple," said Conte.

"We are disappointed with the final result. 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.

"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."

Chelsea are in the last 16 of the Champions League - drawing 1-1 with Barcelona in the first leg - and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Conte 'positive' about VAR

Chelsea's Alvaro Morata had a late goal disallowed on his first start since 13 January

Chelsea had a late goal disallowed, despite United defender Victor Lindelof appearing to be keeping Alvaro Morata onside.

Referee Martin Atkinson had no access to a video assistant referee (VAR) as it is not being trialled in the Premier League.

"We need to have this new system to help the referee and avoid big mistakes," said Conte.

"This type of situation can change the final result. For this reason, I am very positive about introducing VAR, especially in England."

Spanish striker Morata was making his first start since suffering an injury their 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," added Conte.

What is VAR?

How does VAR work?

The VAR system - which is being used in some Fifa tournaments, as well as Serie A and the Bundesliga, has been trialled in certain cup games this season involving Premier League clubs.

It can only be used at stadiums where there is a direct link back to the Premier League studios west of London - where the VAR has access to between 12 and 15 camera angles, including four cameras in each goal.

If the VAR thinks there is a clear and obvious error, he will tell the referee, who can either change his decision or view the incident again on a monitor at the side of the pitch.

Where a VAR review is used, it will normally be triggered during stoppages in play and limited to four types of match-changing incidents:

Goals
Penalties
Straight red cards
Mistaken identity

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104 comments

Comment posted by Ultra Astrum, at 21:34 25 Feb 2018
So, Chelsea have sold a load of good players but spent £230m on rubbish new ones, and that’s something to be proud of?

The point is Chelsea have spent a lot of money but in the round, their transfer business has been very poor.

Whoever sanctioned the Matic sale to Man Utd (and the purchase of Balayoko) should be sacked. It’s one of the most idiotic transfers of modern times.
Comment posted by Pan17, at 19:12 25 Feb 2018
I must be the only one that rates Giroud above Morata.
Comment posted by Captain Armorica, at 20:17 25 Feb 2018
If only they'd had a reliable striker in the team, you know, someone like Costa...
Comment posted by SKO5, at 19:51 25 Feb 2018
Chelsea can only blame themselves. Giving away sloppy goals and not ruthless enough anymore. We were unlucky to lose today given that united weren't great either and Morata has to stop falling over - it just magnifies how much we miss Costa when he falls and cries like a baby
Comment posted by Sharpshooter78, at 23:12 25 Feb 2018
If Man City weren't so good this season then 5 teams would have been in for a shot at the title, that would have been interesting. Let's hope they have a bit of a wobble and drop a few points so they're under a bit of pressure, then again they're playing Arsenal again next so there's 3 points for them.
Comment posted by Jaffabhoy , at 19:07 25 Feb 2018
Top 4 push won't be easy...???
Well, you'll just need to knuckle down & put some effort in.
Everyone is getting paid plenty, so no excuses.
Jyat
Comment posted by zola, at 19:31 25 Feb 2018
Conte deserves better support from the board and Roman. He is a top coach
and a DECENT man ..
Comment posted by Penelope Poopsalot, at 19:18 25 Feb 2018
Err - okay - but is this really headline material? Everyone knows it'll be as hard as growing a new head of hair but he took on that challenge and won!
Comment posted by blue, at 02:02 26 Feb 2018
I'm not a chelsea fan or hater,
what is conte doing??
Giroud on the bench ,
drinkwater playing instead of fabregas
hazard taken off
can chelsea hold on to 5th place,
42 players out on loan
Comment posted by tatlock, at 22:20 25 Feb 2018
Correct Ultra. Selling Matic & buying Baka is a bloody joke. Costa wanted out so as Chelsea fans we have to accept that. Keep your top players and add quality the rest is down to hard work, a winning system, and staff that are committed. I believe that Chelsea players work hard, i do t think correct quality has been added, and I am not so sure that the system is believed in by everyone.
Comment posted by Brinsop, at 20:20 25 Feb 2018
Not enough up front, slack defending and poor officials. Seems to be the norm after a great previous season
Comment posted by Forza_CFC, at 20:43 25 Feb 2018
It won’t be easy. Looking at fixtures, with our form, I’d say it’s very likely we won’t be in the top 4. Utd are far from great, today they hardly created a thing, and the Chelsea players must’ve known they had to win.

After the performance today, the ones against Bournemouth and Watford....frankly we don’t deserve to be there. Still, we won the league last time we weren’t in the CL ;)
Comment posted by Forza_CFC, at 21:25 25 Feb 2018
Another interesting fact:

Chelsea have made well over £150m in selling players over 18 months, players that were in and around the first team.

Man City made what exactly?

Conte needs to accept some of the blame but don’t pretend the two clubs are spending the same amount on players
Comment posted by U16946665, at 19:49 25 Feb 2018
Sorry BBC I didn't mean to get the legal team involved.
Comment posted by jsh1pp, at 06:10 26 Feb 2018
Last summer Chelsea lost Matic and Costa. Thats your midfield general and your talisman striker. Take them out of any team and you'll not be as good. I actually really rate Giroud. As teams search for more ball playing defenders old fashioned big CF's have become more effective because what weve gained technically weve lost physicality. If Shearer was playing today he'd score even more goals.
Comment posted by ChopperHarris, at 23:03 25 Feb 2018
Morata is too lightweight, physically and mentally. And our system is too reliant on counter-attacking, meaning we never dominate a game as there is often no midfield link between defence and attack. Moses too often fails in his wing back role.

How about Zappacosta and Alonso as full backs. Two in central defence with Kante, Fabregas and Luiz in midfield. Willian, Hazard and Giroud up front?
Comment posted by Forza_CFC, at 21:41 25 Feb 2018
No, and I fail to see where I was commending their transfer policy.

It’s fairly simple, if the current squad had Matic, Costa, etc added to it, like Man City do, not swapped, like we have done, it is very likely we would be in a different position.

Your point was that they spend they same amount, they clearly don’t.
Comment posted by SP, at 20:55 25 Feb 2018
why does he give up so quickly.We are still 2 points behind top 4
Comment posted by Mike T, at 20:57 25 Feb 2018
Chelsea won the Title last year 15 pts clear of Man City in 3rd so how can they struggle so much to make the Top 4? They chose to sell Matic & Costa but it shouldn't make such a difference. The passion has gone from Conte's touchline demeanor. If he's not passsionate at game time does he do enough to motivate the team in the dressing room or training ground? He needs to man up and stop sulking!!!
Comment posted by User0126244157, at 00:41 26 Feb 2018
A good day for both the Mancs & a bad one for two of the Cockneys.

Missed opportunity from Chelsea but there will be others before the end of the season.

BTW, Liverpool seem to be on fire at the moment!