Antonio Conte proud of Chelsea players for showing responsibility against Huddersfield

By: Reuters | Updated: December 13 2017 10:29 am Chelsea are currently placed third in the EPL table behind 11 points behind leaders Manchester City. (AP) Related News Chelsea s out of sorts Alvaro Morata to miss Huddersfield Town gameChelsea stars bring early Christmas cheer to fans at hospital see picsAtletico Madrid out of Champions League after draw at ChelseaChelsea manager Antonio Conte denied he was being negative when he said the club were not in the Premier League title race and insisted after Tuesday s 3-1 win at Huddersfield Town that he was simply being realistic. Conte had reacted to Saturday s 1-0 loss at West Ham United by saying Chelsea were not in a position to overhaul runaway leaders Manchester City and that his team s bid had never started . Although a comfortable victory at the John Smith s Stadium leaves Chelsea 11 points behind Manchester City who visit struggling Swansea City on Wednesday Conte does not believe it is realistic to talk of catching Pep Guardiola s side. This is the truth. Manchester City in 16 games they have won 15 and drawn one. In 17 games we have lost four games said the Italian. When you have a competitor like Manchester City that every game they are winning it is very difficult to think that you can fight for the title. You can say it s negative or this is positive but its bullshit said Conte. We must be realistic and to tell always the truth. I prefer to tell the truth rather than a good lie. I am this way. Sometimes I can be too honest but I like to speak very honestly with my players with our fans also he said. Conte added that the reality did not stop his team who are also in the last 16 of the Champions League where they will face Barcelona in February from fighting till the end. It doesn t mean that we don t want to try to catch them but we have to hope to have a big slip (from City) and then for us to win every game in this league. In this league don t forget it is very difficult. In every game you have to put 120 percent of yourself otherwise you risk dropping points he said. The former Juventus and Italy boss was pleased with the way his team had bounced back on Tuesday after the West Ham reverse with goals from Tiemoue Bakayoko Willian and Pedro. I think we must be very happy for the performance because from the start of the game we showed a great personality and desire to win the game against a very good team he said. They beat Manchester United and City struggled to win against them. To win this way is very important as it improves our confidence after a defeat against West Ham he said. For all the latest Sports News download Indian Express App More Related News Antonio Conte charged with misconduct following dismissal Antonio Conte sent to stands as Chelsea beat Swansea 1-0 Tags: Chelsea Antonio Conte has called on Chelsea to remain positive about their Champions League prospects despite drawing five-time winners Barcelona in the Round of 16. The Blues were left with a draw that would see them face one of Barca Besiktas or Paris Saint-Germain as they were unable to face an English side all of whom topped their group. Chelsea s defeat at West Ham on Saturday saw Conte rule them out of the Premier League title hunt with the Italian insisting that they would focus on the Champions League and domestic trophies instead. Champions League 2017/18 contenders 17 show all Champions League 2017/18 contenders 1/17 Champions League 2017/18 contenders Will any team be able to prevent Real Madrid winning the tournament for the third year in a row? Getty Images for UEFA 2/17 FC Basel Odds: 250/1 AFP/Getty Images 3/17 Shakhtar Donetsk 175/1 Getty Images 4/17 Porto 125/1 AFP/Getty Images 5/17 Besiktas 100/1 AFP/Getty Images 6/17 Sevilla 100/1 AFP/Getty Images 7/17 Roma 33/1 AFP/Getty Images 8/17 Chelsea 25/1 Getty Images 9/17 Tottenham Hotspur 25/1 AFP/Getty Images 10/17 Juventus 18/1 Getty Images 11/17 Liverpool 14/1 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 12/17 Manchester United 14/1 Getty Images 13/17 Real Madrid 15/2 Getty Images 14/17 Barcelona 15/2 AFP/Getty Images 15/17 Paris Saint-Germain 5/1 AFP/Getty Images 16/17 Bayern Munich 4/1 Bongarts/Getty Images 17/17 Manchester City 16/5 (favourites) AFP/Getty Images As a result being drawn against Barcelona would have severely hit those plans but Conte has urged his side to be positive that they can progress in the competition. It s a draw. Our reaction must be positive Conte said on Monday ahead of Tuesday s Premier League clash at Huddersfield. When you are in this stage you must be ready to face every team. In this case we must be ready to face Barcelona. When you play against Barcelona you must put 120 per cent at home and away if you want to hope to go to the next round. The first leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on February 20 - and is scheduled to be followed by Premier League matches at Manchester United (February 24) and Manchester City (March 3) - with the second leg at the Nou Camp on March 14. And Conte s immediate focus is on the Premier League after last Saturday s loss at West Ham saw the Blues slip 14 points behind City as the Italian dismissed past battles with Barca. Read more City installed as new favourites to win Champions League But he will hope to invoke the memory of their remarkable win over the Catalan giants in 2012 when goals from Ramires and Fernando Torres saw them reach the Champions League final on away goals despite the earlier dismissal of John Terry. The past is the past. Now it s the present another story. It s totally different he added. More about: Chelsea F.c. Antonio Conte Fc Barcelona Champions League Reuse content Get Chelsea FC updates directly to your inbox SubscribeThank you for subscribing!Could not subscribe try again laterInvalid Email Antonio Conte has told his Chelsea stars to be positive about their horror Champions League draw. The Blues have been pitted against five-time European champions Barcelona in the last-16 of the competition. After finishing second in their group Chelsea knew they had a two-in-three chance of facing either Barca or French juggernauts Paris Saint-Germain. It s a draw. Our reaction must be positive Conte said at his press conference on Monday ahead of Tuesday s Premier League clash at Huddersfield. When you are in this stage you must be ready to face every team. In this case we must be ready to face Barcelona. Conte wants his Chelsea stars to have a positive approach to facing Barcelona (Image: Chelsea FC) Conte is confident that his stars can cause an upset (Image: Chelsea FC) When you play against Barcelona you must put 120 per cent at home and away if you want to hope to go to the next round. The first leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on February 20 - and is scheduled to be followed by Premier League matches at Manchester United (February 24) and Manchester City (March 3) - with the second leg at the Nou Camp on March 14. And Conte s immediate focus is on the Premier League after last Saturday s loss at West Ham saw the Blues slip 14 points behind City as the Italian dismissed past battles with Barca. Chelsea will have to watch out for Messi when they face off in the Champions League (Image: AFP) John Terry scores Chelsea s fourth goal against Barcelona during the Champions League first knockout round second leg match at Stamford Bridge on March 8 2005 (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty) But he will hope to invoke the memory of their remarkable win over the Catalan giants in 2012 when goals from Ramires and Fernando Torres saw them reach the Champions League final on away goals despite the earlier dismissal of John Terry. The past is the past. Now it s the present another story. It s totally different he said. Willian will be one of Chelsea s key men in the Champions League clash (Image: Chelsea FC) Tottenham were also handed a questionable reward for finishing ahead of Real Madrid in their qualifying group as they were paired with last year s runners-up Juventus. But Manchester City Manchester United and Liverpool will be relatively content after being paired with Basel Sevilla and Porto respectively. Drinkwater during a training drill on Monday (Image: Chelsea FC) The remaining three ties pit Real Madrid against Paris St Germain Shakhtar Donetsk with Roma and Bayern Munich against Besiktas. Spurs can expect to face a sterner test than that posed by Juventus in their last meeting in a pre-season friendly at Wembley in August which the north Londoners won 2-0. City will be delighted to land Swiss outsiders Basel. But they will have good cause to be wary against their experienced opposition who beat both United and Benfica on their way to qualifying as runners-up from Group A. poll loading Will Chelsea beat Barcelona over two legs? 6000 VOTES SO FAR Yes No