LONDON - Antonio Conte will not mute his touchline celebrations when José Mourinho returns to Chelsea for Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final (9.45pm SA time kick-off).
The managers clashed after Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in October when Mourinho was upset by Conte’s euphoric reaction to the fourth goal.
Mourinho, back at Chelsea for the first time since being ousted from the Bridge, claimed it was an attempt at “humiliating” his team.
They have not spoken since but Conte said: “It’s not important. We have nothing to clarify with him.
“I’ve shown at Chelsea and with every team I’ve managed that I live the game with great passion.
“Sometimes I want to share my enthusiasm with my players, my staff and also the fans. It is normal.”
United have lost only twice in 31 games in all competitions since – two inconsequential defeats which did not halt their progress in the Uefa Europa League or the EFL Cup.
Chelsea have also pushed on. They are 10 points clear at the top of the table and targeting the Premier League and FA Cup double they won in 2010. “For us, now, it is better,’ said Conte. “In October, we didn’t know our future. In March we are top, we have a good identity and a good team. We are showing good football but it will be a really tough game against United.
“With Manchester City, they have the best squad in the league with a lot of great players, with great talent and great experience.
“We want to get into the next round. Until now, we didn’t win anything.”
Mourinho was quick to note Chelsea’s comfortable week of preparation for Monday’s cup tie had been in contrast to United’s, who did not return from a game against Rostov in Russia until 3.30am on Friday.
“My players and I are focused on the game on the pitch,” said Conte.
“The most important thing is to prepare the team in the right way, with good organisation.
“These are the most important things for me and for every coach.
“The mind games, they’re strange, no? The mind games don’t bring you the win.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been sure to remind United of their Premier League struggles this season ahead of the clash.
Mourinho returns to his old stomping ground for the second time this term when they meet at Stamford Bridge.
The last time they went head-to-head in west London, in October’s Premier League clash, Chelsea stunned Mourinho by thrashing his men 4-0.
United have turned things around and haven’t lost in the league since that humiliation.
But that hasn’t stopped Chelsea from mocking their arch-rivals.
The Premier League leaders previewed the clash on their website and got in plenty of thinly-veiled digs ahead of their highly-anticipated showdown.
They wrote: “Monday’s cup opponents are enjoying a long unbeaten run in the league stretching back to October.
“It has lifted them all the way from sixth to sixth. That last defeat was, of course, the one they endured at the Bridge.
“Pedro’s 29.6 seconds opener in that 4-0 triumph remains the fastest goal in the league this season.”
Mourinho will be hoping to inflict revenge on his former team following the embarrassing defeat he endured earlier in the campaign.
Pedro gave the hosts the lead after just 30 seconds before Gary Cahill smashed in a second first-half strike to stun the travelling supporters.
Second-half goals from Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante piled further misery on the Red Devils, a game which seemingly turned their season around.
And after clinching an EFL Cup triumph at Wembley, Mourinho’s men will be hoping to beat their rivals in their quest for further silverware.