Antonio Conte wants Jose Mourinho to realise he is on enemy turf when Manchester United step out at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
Conte expects Chelsea supporters to show Mourinho respect for his achievements, but the Italian reminded the fans he needs the crowd behind his team.
And the former Italy manager also promised he would never ‘park the bus’ and play for a point as Mourinho has been accused of doing.
‘When you have won three titles you remain in the hearts of the fans,’ said Conte.
‘He was an important manager for Chelsea and a big part of the story. He deserves a good reception, but when the whistle goes he becomes an enemy, like the other players of Manchester United.
‘We have a tough game against a strong team — not against Jose Mourinho. It is important to focus on the pitch and see United as an enemy, as an opponent.’
Mourinho left Chelsea last December after the club slumped to 16th but Conte insisted the players have nothing to prove other than to show
they are better than they were in recent defeats by Liverpool and Arsenal. But he admits they do carry mental scars from last season. ‘When there are these very bad seasons something remains in the players’ minds,’ said Conte. ‘The risk is to lose the confidence. This season for Chelsea is very important. You must change what happened last season, and that’s not easy.’
Conte’s brief is to get Chelsea back into the Champions League playing attacking football. ‘You must start the game with only one target: to win, not to play for a draw,’ he said. ‘I don’t like this. It’s not football.’ United were criticised for lacking ambition in a goalless draw at Liverpool on Monday and Conte expects a similar gameplan from Mourinho tomorrow.
‘It will be a tactical game,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Mourinho has given the FA an explanation for his comments that Manchester-based referee Anthony Taylor would find the United-Liverpool match ‘difficult’. The FA will now decide whether to charge him for breaking rules about commenting on officials.
Daily Mail