Antonio Conte: Chelsea boss hits back at Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after ‘very defensive’ and ‘set pieces’ jibes
Special One claimed Blues boss only plays on counter-attack but Conte won't be drawn into 'jokey play' mind-games
ANTONIO CONTE has hit back at Jose Mourinho after the Manchester United boss branded Chelsea a ‘very defensive’ side.
The former Blues boss took aim after United’s 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday, once again claiming that Conte loves to play on the counter-attack and encourages his players to employ negative tactics.
The comments appear to be a new form of mind-games from Mourinho, who was dumped by Chelsea for a second time in December 2015 as they hovered above the relegation zone.
Fast forward a year and the Blues are now top of the table - 12 points ahead of the Special One - while their ‘defensive’ football has seen them score 14 more goals than the Red Devils.
United were also on the receiving end of a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.
What exactly did Mourinho say?
“Chelsea are a very good defensive team.
“They defend very well and with lots of players.
“I think in this situation a very defensive team wins the title with counter-attack goals and set pieces goals so I don’t think they will let it slip but football is football.”
And Conte insists he’s not in the mood to be drawn into Mourinho’s ‘jokey play’, adding that he’s not a fan of commenting on other managers through the media.
Conte told reports in the wake of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Burnley this afternoon: “I don’t like to respond to other managers.
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“I don’t like this jokey play. I have a bit of experience about this.”
Reflecting on the result at Turf Moor, Conte added: “The pitch is small and it is better for the team that defends and plays the long ball.”