Antonio Conte hailed Chelsea’s character to overcome Leicester City in extra time to reach the FA Cup semifinals, but insisted that they will not enjoy an easy path to the final against Southampton.
“We must be pleased for the character we showed in this game against a really good team,” Conte said.
“Don’t forget, in the last game at home [in the Premier League] we suffered a lot against Leicester. They’re a really good team with great players and great talent.
“After a game in the Champions League, it wasn’t easy for us to play 120 minutes in this way. Tonight we fought a lot. We fought a lot and showed a great desire and will to fight and to go to reach the semifinals, and go for the second time in a row to Wembley.”
The FA Cup semifinal draw brought more good news for Conte, as Manchester United and Tottenham drew each other while Chelsea were paired with Southampton, who overcame Wigan Athletic earlier on Sunday.
Conte, however, was in no mood to celebrate Chelsea’s favourable draw. “When you arrive at this point of the tournament, it’s very difficult to consider a game ‘easy’,” he insisted. “Don’t forget Manchester City were eliminated against Wigan. I think we must be ready to fight to try to reach the final at Wembley for the second time in a row. It will be very important for us, but we have to know that Southampton have the same idea as us.”
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