Luck required for Champions League success - Conte

Winning the Champions League involves more luck than claiming a league title, according to Chelsea's Antonio Conte.

Posted Saturday, May 05, 2018 by fourfourtwo.com

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte feels teams need luck to win the Champions League.

After progressing through a tough group at the expense of Atletico Madrid this season, Chelsea were knocked out by Barcelona at the last-16 stage.

Conte's side face a battle to qualify for next term's Champions League, with a five-point gap to make up on the top four going into Sunday's home game against third-place Liverpool.

And the Italian, who led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season at the club, believes fortune is required for European success.

"I think that, in the league, you have 38 games to show you deserve to win the league. To show you are the best during the season," Conte said.

"In the Champions League, when you reach the last 16 or quarter-finals or semi-finals, one situation – positive or negative – can change your future in this competition. For this reason, I think that to win the Champions League you must be more lucky.

"You must be good to deserve it, but at the same time you must be lucky. One referee's decision can settle your future totally. In the league, over 38 games, usually the team who deserves to win it wins it.

"Luck is always important in every competition, but when you have the possibility to play 38 games you can show you are the best. In a little tournament, like the FA Cup or EFL Cup or Champions League or Europa League, sometimes one decision can move your future.

"Sometimes you are lucky or you are unlucky."

Jurgen Klopp has led Liverpool to the final of the Champions League - where they will face defending champions Real Madrid in Kiev - with the Reds playing a blistering brand of attacking football.

"For sure, we are talking about a coach who is showing in every moment great passion for football," Conte said of Klopp.

"I have great respect for Jurgen. You can see that he's present during the game. He wants to help his players during the game. You can see that he's always present, in a positive or negative situation, so I have great respect for him.

"But every coach has his own style to follow the game. Every coach wants to try to pick the best situation to follow his team."