Ahead Of Man United vs Chelsea FA Cup Clash: Conte Sends Classic Reply To Mourinho

Chelsea Boss Replies To Mourinho Ahead Of Their Clash.

The former Juventus manager hits back at Jose Mourinho above the fixture scheduling ahead of Chelsea v Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Chelsea Italian manager Antonio Conte has rejected Mourinho’s statement that Chelsea are set to have an easier fixture schedule around their FA Cup quarter-final game with the Old Trafford club.

Manchester United’s Portuguese boss vented his frustration at the fact that his side’s FA Cup match with his former club was scheduled for a Monday night – which was just three days before United’s Europa League last-16 clash.

And to make things worse for United, the red devils were on Friday pitted against Russian side Rostov – which means they will have to engage on a 1,872-mile trip for the match.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has however insisted that he would much rather his side be competing in Europe this season than not playing midweek games at all.

“In this moment, I think the real advantage was before, because when you arrive in a new team and you have to bring your idea, your philosophy, you make a lot of work, you need a lot of time to work all week, I think this is the real advantage.

“Now, to watch Champions League or Europa league on TV is not good for me or the players because we want to stay there to play for something important.

“Champions League is important – the top – but the Europa League is also strong.

“To watch Wednesday and Thursday is not good.

“We have this situation because of last season, not because someone invented it. Last season was very bad.”

The West London club are currently preparing for their Premier League game against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea are flying high at the top of the League table and are also eight points clear of their closest challengers Manchester City.