Chelsea boss Antonio Conte hits out at Premier League fixture list... with his side allowed one day to prepare for Manchester City after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Spain

  • Chelsea secured a dramatic 2-1 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid
  • But Wednesday's win comes just three days before they face Manchester City
  • Antonio Conte's side will have only one full day of preparation for the clash
  • 'In this case I think we are a bit penalised,' the Chelsea manager said Wednesday
  • REPORT: Super sub Batshuayi comes off the bench to secure famous victory 

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte hailed his team for outplaying Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in a stunning last-gasp comeback victory — and then launched into a rant about scheduling.

Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi scored as Chelsea became the first English side to win away at Atletico in the Champions League.

A delighted Conte said: ‘You can win, but if you only defend and counter-attack, the result doesn’t bring the right satisfaction. Instead, we came here and showed that we are ready to play.’


Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says his side's Premier League fixture schedule is 'not right'

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says his side's Premier League fixture schedule is 'not right'

They face Manchester City in the league just three days after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1

They face Manchester City in the league just three days after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1

Goals from Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi secured a famous Champions League victory

Goals from Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi secured a famous Champions League victory

Conte then criticised English football’s decision-makers for scheduling their clash with Manchester City on Saturday.

After spending today recovering, that leaves Chelsea just one day to prepare.

‘Don’t forget, Manchester City played (on Tuesday) at home,’ said Conte. ‘To have only one day to prepare for this type of game is not right. I’m very surprised to see that we have to play on Saturday, not on Sunday. I don’t understand why.’

Conte says the international break which follows the City contest means it was less necessary for the game to be played on Saturday. 

Conte said it's 'not right' that his side have only one day to prepare for the City showdown

Conte said it's 'not right' that his side have only one day to prepare for the City showdown

Pep Guardiola's side beat Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday and did not face a long journey

Pep Guardiola's side beat Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday and did not face a long journey

'There is the international break. It's very difficult to understand,' Conte added.

The Italian insisted Chelsea would be ready, but he may delay selecting his team until Saturday afternoon.

'Maybe I'll wait until one hour, two hours before playing,' Conte added.

'This type of game (against Atletico) you use a lot of physical and mental energy. I want to speak with everyone and then to make the best decision.

'(But) to play a big game is better because we can keep the concentration very high.'

Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi proved there is life after Diego Costa as Chelsea fought back to win in Atletico's first European game at their new Estadio Wanda Metropolitano home.

Batshuayi turned home Marcos Alonso's cross to win the match with the last kick of the game

Batshuayi turned home Marcos Alonso's cross to win the match with the last kick of the game

Costa, whose return to Atletico was completed on Tuesday, watched on as Chelsea responded from David Luiz's needless concession of a penalty scored by Antoine Griezmann.

Former Real Madrid striker Morata headed in Eden Hazard's cross for his seventh goal in eight games for Chelsea, before Batshuayi struck with the final kick of the game.

Conte praised the 'personality' of his side's performance as Chelsea became the first English side to win at Atletico, who had been unbeaten in their previous 11 home games against English opposition. 

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone accepted that his side were second best on Wednesday

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone accepted that his side were second best on Wednesday

'We must play always with the same personality, the same desire to play football and to try through the play to deserve to win.

'The answer tonight was very positive.'

Atletico boss Diego Simeone conceded his side were second best.

Simeone said: 'Chelsea were the better team. The draw was a good result for us, but at the very end they had the patience to move the ball round very well and scored at the last second.

'We couldn't really play our game because our rival was better. They had better intensity, they were better at a tactical level.

'We were never comfortable. It was a fair victory for Chelsea because they just played better.' 

 

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