Chelsea vs Manchester United: Antonio Conte calls on Chelsea fans to give Jose Mourinho a ‘great reception’ when United visit the Bridge
Blues boss hails 'important' win over Leicester but switches attention to clash with greatest manager in the club's history
AS MANAGER of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho always refused to rule out managing another Premier League club.
In six days’ time, Mourinho returns to the place where he is loved the most, Stamford Bridge, but in the away dugout with Manchester United.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted the game is vitally important because of his team’s poor results against Arsenal and Liverpool — with United likely to be another tough test.
Privately, though, the Italian, whose team were impressive in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Leicester, knows any loss to a Mourinho-led side will effectively be a public relations disaster with the Chelsea faithful.
Asked whether Sunday’s game is crucial, Conte said: “Yes, it is very important because also Leicester were a strong team — don’t forget they won the title.
“But the next game is very important, because after two defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool it is important to give a different answer.
“It is very important for our confidence and for our fans.”
Quizzed about facing Mourinho, the Italian was — as you would expect — extremely diplomatic.
He added: “Jose Mourinho was here for many years and he won a lot with this club and I think it is right to have a great reception.”
Although many are looking forward to tonight's United versus Liverpool match, next Sunday’s meeting also promises to be a fascinating tussle.
While Chelsea now have six days of preparation, United play both this evening and at home to Fenerbahce on Thursday in the Europa League.
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Conte will have been boosted by the performance of his back three — albeit against a lame Leicester side — with wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso impressing.
Alonso said: “He (Conte) is working on things and it’s never easy. It always takes time.
“But we’re starting to do thing very well.
“We are very happy with the last couple of games and this is the way to keep going.
“We think game-by-game. We have a very important game next week, here against Manchester United and we have to think about getting three points from this.
“That’s the only thing we have to keep in our minds.”