Chelsea a team to avoid Champions League knockout stages, says Antonio Conte

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Alex Young @alexwsyoung6 December 2017

Antonio Conte insists no team will welcome facing Chelsea in the Champions League knockout stages.

The Blues slipped into second place in Group C after being held by Atletico Madrid and Roma beat Qarabag, setting up potential last-16 clashes with either Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain or Bestikas should Liverpool top their group.

Eden Hazard was in a bullish mood after the game, insisting Chelsea can "do anything" in the competition, and his manager echoed the comments.

"Our opponent won't be happy to play against us," Conte told reporters after the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

He added: "When you play this competition and you go through you must be ready to face the best teams.

"We can play against PSG, Barca or Besiktas, you have to be ready. It is a fantastic competition, the best, and you have to be ready for everything."

Saul Niguez put Atletico ahead on the night, with the Spanish outfit needing a win and hoping Qarabag did them a favour against Roma, before Hazard equalised via a deflection off Stefan Savic.

In Pictures | Champions League gameweek 6 | 2017-18

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Conte continued: "We tried to play our game and win. In the first half we tried to push, we created many chances to score and we conceded a goal from a corner.

"When you play this way and create so much you must be satisfied. It was a good game. I think we deserved to win the game when you create so many chances, some important chances.

"We went 1-0 down but we tried to win, we must be pleased as it was a really tough group."

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