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| Antonio Conte |
Even as he nursed a thick lip and lamented his sodden suit
amid the mayhem of Chelsea’s Premier League title celebrations, Antonio Conte
was already targeting his next trophy bid.
The Chelsea manager said his players should enjoy the
success they clinched with a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday to give
him glory in his first season in charge.
But the Italian now has his eyes on completing the Double
with victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 27.
“Now it’s very important to enjoy this moment and celebrate
this win because to win in England is not easy,” Conte told reporters at The
Hawthorns.
“It’s important for me and also my players because don’t
forget that last season was a bad season for the club, the players and the
fans.
“Only one year later, to celebrate this win in a league
where there are big, big teams with great players and great managers, for me
it’s important to celebrate now.
“I think that we have also another target to try to reach
because we worked very hard to reach the final of the FA Cup and then it’s
important to prepare in the right way for next season.
“This is a dream that has come true. For sure this is a
dream.”
Conte hurt his lip during a joyous melee with his fellow
coaches after Michy Batshuayi’s late winning goal and was forced to change
clothes after being sprayed with Champagne in the dressing room.
He was then dragged out of his post-match media conference
by celebrating players David Luiz and Diego Costa, but not before pinpointing
the key moment in his side’s season.
That came in September, when he responded to back-to-back
defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal by implementing the three-man defensive
system that served him so well in his three Serie A successes with Juventus.
– ‘New philosophy’ –
“Against Arsenal the game was frustrating for me because I
didn’t see anything of my work, of my idea of football,” said the 47-year-old,
who described his suit as a “disaster” after he was soaked by his players.
“And in that moment it was frustrating for me and I found
the strength to change, to take responsibility, to change system and find a new
suit for these players.
“It was the key moment for us because every single player
found in this system the best for them.
“If you asked me if in my first season I would have this
type of finale, I don’t know because our season did not start in the right way
with many problems.
“When you arrive after a bad season when the team were 10th,
there is not only one problem. There are a lot of problems and to find the
right solution quickly wasn’t easy.
“For this I want to thank my players because they trusted in
new work and a new philosophy. I want to thank the club because they had faith
in me and to repay the club is very important.”
West Brom frustrated Chelsea for 82 minutes until substitute
Batshuayi became the visitors’ unlikely hero, converting Cesar Azpilicueta’s
cross from close range.
Home manager Tony Pulis was pleased with the efforts of his
players.
“We wanted to make it a tough night. We didn’t want them
coming to town and just rolling us over,” said Pulis.
“Full credit to the players. It was a proper match. It’s
disappointing for us, but you’ve got to give Chelsea, Antonio and his coaching
staff great credit for what they’ve achieved this year.”
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