Chelsea boss Antonio Conte heaps praise on Manchester City ahead of Etihad clash

It’s the first of two games that will end in Barcelona a week on Wednesday after the second leg of a Champions League tie that will almost certainly decide his – and Chelsea’s – future.

If he finishes on the losing side in both games chances are the last rites will be written on the Italian’s brief but still successful reign at Stamford Bridge.

Many might say that would be a mighty ungrateful thank you for the title-winning rescue job Conte did for Chelsea last season, but that’s the way it is when you work for Roman Abramovich – and the Italian knows it.

The boyish joy that accompanied most of Chelsea’s successes last season was nowhere to be seen as he assessed the size of the task his side faces at the Etihad on Sunday. Just straight faced honesty.

Conte genuinely believes Manchester City could well amass the 100 title winning points this season that he did when he was coach at Juventus. 

“If they continue with this fire and hunger they can achieve this,” he said. “They are in a fantastic physical condition, and playing good football wth great desire.”

Next came a salute for a hungry and determined group of Manchester City players he concedes are truly “the best in this league.”

That was followed by a tribute to “a great coach” in Pep Guardiola whose ambition has been matched by his club in the transfer market and got the reward they deserve as a result.

Conte doesn’t accept that City have bought the title. “They are not the only club to spend a lot of money,” he said. “It’s not important to spend a lot of money, but to spend it in the right way.

“I have great admiration (for Manchester City) because they found the right way to be strong for a long time, to have successful seasons for a long time, from now until I don’t know.”

That wasn’t him throwing in the towel, just a frank admission that he and his players will need something special to get a result on Sunday, and in Spain in 11 days’ time.

“We had a good performance against Barcelona (in the first leg). We’ll try to do the same against Manchester City,” he vowed. “It’s a very crucial moment for us. These two weeks are very important.

“We have to continue to put all ourselves in this effort, from now until the end, to try to find a place in the Champions League.”

Conte was quick to point out that Chelsea also have two Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Leicester City during his destiny deciding fortnight. But his parting shot revealed that he is not expecting a long-term future here.

“I think that now the most important thing is the present, to be focused on the present. The present is very important for us to try to do our best,” he added.

“Now the most important thing is to be focused. The club, I think has the same ambition in this moment. To be focused on the present and not to look too far.”

And with that he left, without his cheeky smile – and seemingly with no Chelsea blueprint beyond the end of this season either.