Conte charges Hazard to copy ‘genius Iniesta’ ahead of Chelsea-Barca UCL showdownd

By Daily Sports on March 14, 2018

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has described Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta as a “genius” and challenged Eden Hazard to emulate the Spaniard by winning major trophies.

Iniesta faces a race against time to be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at the Camp Nou, with the tie delicately poised following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

The midfielder has been included in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury and his return would represent a major boost to Barca’s hopes.

Conte said Chelsea would have to play the “perfect game” to reach the quarterfinals and they will need Hazard to deliver too.

Hazard has grown frustrated in recent weeks with his lone role up front but when asked to compare the Belgian with Iniesta, Conte said: “We’re talking about two different players with different careers. Iniesta won a lot in his career, Hazard has to start winning important trophies.”

On the impact of Iniesta’s possible return, Conte added: “I like to compare him with Andrea Pirlo. We are talking about a genius of the football.

“I don’t know if tomorrow he could play. In this type of game it’s right to face the best players and you don’t hope they will miss out with injury.”

Chelsea were unfortunate only to take a draw from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, where Lionel Messi’s equaliser spoiled an otherwise dominant Blues performance.

But Barca are still unbeaten in La Liga and Messi will be well-rested, having sat out Saturday’s win over Malaga to attend the birth of his third child.

“We must have the game to play with concentration, stay with our head in every moment,” Conte said.

“We have to know there are moments we have to suffer because that is not only for Chelsea but every team against Barcelona must be ready to suffer and be compact.

“With the ball you must then have in your head and your heart the feeling you will have the chance to score.”

Conte said Antonio Rudiger is in contention after recovering from muscle fatigue but Ross Barkley (hamstring) and David Luiz (ankle) are out. © AFP

•Photo shows Chelsea star Eden Hazard

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 14, 2018


 

You may also like...
WAFU U-17: Senate President Tasks Golden Eaglets To...

Guardiola Hints Fernandinho Set To Leave

Federer Pulls Out Of Miami Open

Sorry Leicester set another unwanted record

Champions League 2021-22 Preview: Guardiola, Klopp, Tuchel &...

Looting in Football House: Where is EFCC? Gara...

 

Latest News CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as police storm Anambra Football Academy Sports NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death Abia Govt hails Nigeria Olympic Committee over staging an admin course in Umuahia Libya deliver Eagles 2025 AFCON ticket Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket Yellow Greens gear up for T20 W’Cup qualifiers Tyson tips Fury to beat Joshua Sadiq absent as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan Eagles’ striking trio hot for Cheetahs, Amavubi clashes

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,164 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,308 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,370 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,015 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,948 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,904 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,743 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,312 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,366 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,054 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,507 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,932 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media