Barcelona managed to secure a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea on Tuesday after predictions the English champions would be whipped by the La Liga leaders, and despite Chelsea’s idea to attack in bits and parts on the night, Antonio Conte says his side will be even more purposeful in the second leg.
The Blues held their back line for a long period and attacked when appropriate to devastating effect but could find the net only once, with Willian, hitting the woodwork twice before scoring with a similar effort past Barca goalkeeper Andre Ter Stegen.
Chelsea’s defensive shape may have frustrated Barcelona but after an open 1-1 first leg result, Conte promises to go on the assault, but with caution at the dreaded Camp Nou in a fortnight.
“I think we have to respect the opponent. When you play against Barcelona you know very well that, if you want to face them box-to-box, you are crazy. You go to lose the game, not only 1-0 or 2-0 but like it happens in Spain, 4-0, 5-0, 6-0. You must use intelligence. I think the players are not stupid.
A coach can have a fantastic plan but, if the players don’t believe in this plan, you are dead. We must be prepared to suffer together. But, when you are suffering, you must know that when you have the ball you can create a chance to score.”
Antonio Conte, Telegraph
Chelsea will travel to Barcelona on March 14, in a bid to progress to the next round of the competition and with Barcelona scoring a vital away goal, the task in Spain has been made a lot more difficult.