Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has lavished praise on Lionel Messi after the Argentine ended his side’s hopes of winning the Champions League this season.
The result means Barcelona make the quarter final of the competition while the Blues exit at the round of 16 stage. But despite Chelsea’s drop out of yet another major competition Antonio Conte does not have any regrets.
The Italian manager is of the believe, losing a game to a side that has the world’s best player performing so highly makes it impossible to have regrets.
“Tonight in the two legs, Lionel Messi made the difference. We are talking about the best player in the world. Over the two legs we were a bit unlucky. We hit the post four times. In our best moment today they scored. They were very clinical. We created many chances. We are talking about a player (Messi) that every season he scores 60 goals. We are talking not about a top player but a super top player. He made the difference.
We have no regrets. I must be pleased for the commitment. They gave everything tonight. We didn’t deserve to lose 3-0. During the game, from the bench and for me it was a clear penalty on Marcos Alonso. We have to go and move on and to prepare for the game against Leicester on Sunday.”
Antonio Conte, Evening Standard
Messi scored the fastest goal of his prolific career after only two minutes eight seconds into the game to give Barca the lead before setting up Ousmane Dembele for the second only eight minutes after.
Later in the second half, Messi scored an exquisite goal to make it three for Barcelona who went on to win the game without a lot of trouble to deal with from Chelsea.
