Chelsea off to a flyer in the Champions League
Despite ringing in several changes to the starting XI, Chelsea got off to their Champions League campaign in perfect style with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Qarabag on Tuesday.
Conte had earlier stressed the need for rotation in the squad ahead of the match and he did just that making as many as five changes to the side that saw off Leicester City last week. Davide Zappacosta was handed a Blues debut while the likes of Willian, Andreas Christensen, Azilicueta and Batshuayi all started the match against the Champions League newcomers.
The changes paid rich dividends as the English champions blew away their Azerbaijan counterparts to give manager Antonio Conte the perfect reason to defend his rotation policy.
‘We need rotation’
Speaking at the post match conference, Conte stated “First game in the Champions League, I decided to start with a rotation. We have to start a process to improve our players”
On Zappacosta’s performance, Conte added, “I am really pleased with his performance. Now we have to continue to play with him and the other players. Tonight I had a positive answer from my players.”
‘Chelsea cannot play with 13 players’
Conte was quick to once more reiterate the need for the rotation this season saying, “We would be crazy to think we could play, with only 13 players like last season. So we have to improve all these players to try and create a positive competition between them. This is very important.”
The win stretches Chelsea’s winning run to four matches and they will certainly be in high spirits ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster tie against Arsenal.
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Author’s take:
With participation in the Champions League, Chelsea strength in depth will surely be tested this season. And if last night’s performance is anything to go by, Chelsea do look capable of competing on all fronts this season. While harder tests await the English Champions, they do seem to have found their mojo back and it will be intriguing to see just how Conte improves and make use of the less regular members of the squad.
https://youtu.be/HuzeXFvqJuQ
