Antonio
Conte urged Eden Hazard and Chelsea to seize their opportunity in Wednesday
night's Champions League Group C clash at Atletico Madrid.
Antonio Conte's side got off to the perfect start beating Qarabag 6-0 at
Stamford Bridge.
The Italian wants Belgium playmaker Hazard, who is yet to start in the
Premier League this season following his broken ankle in June, to build on
his scintillating title-winning displays last season.
"Last season Eden played a really important season, played very well and he
was very important for us in winning the league," Chelsea boss Conte said.
"Last season, he showed in every game great talent, to be a really good
player, a top player.
"This competition is very important for him, but I think it's important for
the team. This competition brings you to another level. I think he has all
the possibilities to do this."
Team news
Defender David Luiz is expected to play for Chelsea at the Wanda
Metropolitano on Wednesday. Luiz fractured his arm against Arsenal, when he
was also sent off. He received a three-match ban which expires after
Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Playmaker Hazard is expected to start, winger Pedro is a doubt with a minor
undisclosed issue, while club captain Gary Cahill could return in defence
for Chelsea, whose only definite injury absentee is midfielder Danny
Drinkwater (calf).
Match stats
Atlético Madrid are unbeaten in their last four competitive games against
Chelsea (W2 D2). However, the two encounters between both sides in Madrid
have ended as draws.
Under Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid have won 18 of their 23 Champions
League home games (D4 L1), their only defeat coming against Benfica in
September 2015 (1-2). Atlético Madrid have also kept a clean sheet in 16 of
their last 19 Champions League home games.
Chelsea have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League 13 times in
their previous 14 appearances.
Chelsea's 6-0 win on matchday one against Qarabag equaled their largest
margin of victory in the Champions League (6-0 v Maribor, October 2014).
Charlie's prediction
Well, this is a cracking game and Atletico have just turned up the heat with
their domestic form. Antoine Griezmann is getting himself back in the goals
and Diego Costa's face will attract a lot of interest.
Would you play Eden Hazard? He doesn't look sharp yet and while his touch is
there I don't see that drive to produce those slalom runs which make him
really dangerous.
I think Antonio Conte might not put him in because they've got Manchester
City coming next and I think they'll be quite happy just to not lose this,
especially after they struggled against Arsenal.
Alvaro Morata is in red-hot form and will want to make a point returning to
Madrid, but the man I'm going for to separate the game is Yannick Carrasco,
who has scored in his last two.
Atletico are a very physical side and will get in your face, especially as
they look to prove a point in their new stadium, and I can see discipline
issues here for both teams here.
Charlie predicts: 1-0 and Carrasco to score (25/1 with Sky Bet)
top