Chelsea boss Antonio Conte speaks out on Eden Hazard ahead of Barcelona showdown

ANTONIO CONTE last night called on Eden Hazard to copy his example and be a winner.

Posted Wednesday, March 14, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte speaks out on Eden Hazard ahead of Barcelona showdown
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is looking to beat Barcelona in the Champions League

And Conte revealed he would not consider dumping Barcelona out of the Champions League as something to crow about.

Chelsea need a victory tonight in the Nou Camp, or a 2-2 draw or better.

A 2-2 was good enough in 2012 when Chelsea left Lionel Messi in tears after the Catalans' Champions League semi-final exit and went on to triumph against Bayern Munich in the final.

But Conte insisted such an outcome will not feature high on his CV.

"I hope in my career I consider an achievement when you win something," said the Italian, who landed the title in his first year with the Blues and landed Serie A three years in a row with Juventus.

"I think this is a big achievement for a manager, for a coach. In this case, we are talking about the last 16."

It was a pretty clear message to his team not to get carried out if they come out on top tonight.

And Conte also gave a big nudge to Belgium star Hazard, who was nowhere near his best in the 1-1 draw with Barca in the first leg, to up his game.

Having earlier described Andres Iniesta, who is set to shake off a hamstring injury and start tonight, as "a genius" the Blues boss was asked whether Hazard also deserved that plaudit.

"We are talking about two different players with different careers," he said.

"Iniesta won a lot in his career. Hazard has to start to win important trophies in his career."

Hazard made it crystal clear after the home game he did not enjoy playing through the middle, as asked to do by his boss.

Despite insisting last night that Hazard can play as a false 9, Conte is expected to allow him to go back out wide tonight and bring in Olivier Giroud as a central striker.

Despite Barca being hot favourites, history is on Chelsea's side having not having lost to the La Liga giants in their last eight encounters, with six draws and two victories.

The most celebrated success came in 2012 when the west Londoners grabbed a 2-2 draw from 2-0 down with 10 men, after John Terry's dismissal - at the Nou Camp, to win 3-2 on aggregate.

Messi missed a penalty and ended up sobbing and then team-mate Alexis Sanchez revealed: "You might cry during a game if you lose a final. In the dressing-room after the Chelsea game, I saw Leo cry."

Conte suggested he could see it becoming another 'tear we go' encounter tonight for the Argentina genius.

"Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world," said Conte. "They are winning the league, they are in a final of the Spanish Cup.

"They have all the characteristics to have a great season but, as you know very well, football...you are never sure with football."

While Messi and Hazard have commanded plenty of attention in the build-up, Chelsea's hopes of progress look like they could hinge on the far-less revered Willian.

The 29-year-old was the man of the match at Stamford Bridge, scoring a superbly-struck goal from outside the box and also hitting the post twice in the first half.

Willian has scored five in his last five outings and grabbed three of Chelsea's last four strikes.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte speaks out on Eden Hazard ahead of Barcelona showdown
Chelsea will need Eden Hazard to be at his best if they are to beat Barcelona

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is well aware of the Brazilian's threat, saying: "Not only has he been doing to well in the first leg, he has been playing really great with Chelsea.

"He is scoring easily and he is a player we have to watch closely. He is one of those players who find shooting so easy.

"And they can score even easier if they are in a good streak. He is in his best form of the season."

Willian said: "Of course, I'm happy with my form at the moment. I'm happy with the goals that I've scored but I want more.

"We come here respecting Barcelona, they are great and have great players. A big club, like Chelsea are a big club.

"We want to do our job, the perfect job, to go through to the next round."

BARCELONA (4-4-2): Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta or Gomes, Paulinho; Messi, Suarez.
CHELSEA (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Alonso, Fabregas, Kante, Moses; Willian, Giroud, Hazard.
REFEREE: Damir Skomina (Slovenia).
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
TV: BT SPORT 2