Following Chelsea’s 3-3 drawn game with AS Roma on Wednesday, Antonio Conte took full responsibility for failing with his tactics, while thanking his players for their efforts to avoid a defeat.
Chelsea were expected to win the game against the Italian side after picking up maximum points in their first two games in the competition.
The Blues were held by a resilient Roma side who looked at home and seemed comfortable from the beginning, even after they were pegged back by David Luiz and Eden Hazard’s goals in the first half.
Chelsea were immediately informed that a win would not come easily when Edin Dzeko scored right before half time. Three more goals in the game gave it the kind of entertainment neutrals love to see in a Champions League match.
But Conte was not happy. He insists he had it wrong from the beginning, and it was his players Chelsea fans had to thank for their improvisation and willingness to carry on to avoid embarrassment.
“The effort the players put in was the maximum and I thank them. We suffered in the first half and the decision to change system didn’t pay off, as it took away all our guarantees. We were basically improvising and it showed, as we suffered under Roma’s pressing.
We scored two goals, but the sensation was always that we didn’t feel in control of the match. I have to take responsibility, as it was my decision to change the system to make up for the lack of options. I changed the David Luiz position to strengthen the midfield and I don’t think it worked, to be honest.”
Antonio Conte, Football Italia
