Conte: Fixture list wrecking title hopes

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte isn't happy with how the Premier League fixtures have been scheduled. Photo: Steve Paston/PA Wire

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte isn't happy with how the Premier League fixtures have been scheduled. Photo: Steve Paston/PA Wire

Published Nov 19, 2017

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Antonio Conte has complained that the Premier League title race is not as close as it should be because fixtures are arranged unfairly.

The Chelsea manager, who believes even another run of 13 wins in a row, in which midfielder Eden Hazard will be crucial, might not challenge Manchester City, is still irritated by the timing of his side’s clash with Pep Guardiola’s team in September.

He is also annoyed that Chelsea have one fewer rest days than Liverpool before next weekend’s clash after both play in the Champions League.

Conte believes that his team’s 1-0 loss to City at Stamford Bridge, after they had a day’s less rest, is proving pivotal.

‘We played against Atletico Madrid away and came back at five o’clock in the morning on Thursday and we played on Saturday against Manchester City,’ he said.

‘One team was favourite and it was a pity because then you can see that you can stay very close — if you win, the distance is not nine points.

‘Whoever prepares these type of fixtures must give all the teams the same possibility.

‘We play at Qarabag on Wednesday and then we go back to London at five, six o’clock, but we have another great game against Liverpool on Saturday. Is it normal, this? I don’t think so.’

Daily Mail 

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