Conte criticizes Chelsea players for losing against Burnley: See what he told them

Antonio Conte was upset over his team's lack of composure after Gary Cahill was sent off and conceding 3 goals in the first half as Chelsea slumped to a 3-2 opening day defeat against Burnley

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte berated his players for losing their composure after new captain Gary Cahill saw red on Saturday, and said he would be working on new formations using only 10 men. The champions slumped to a 3-2 opening day defeat against unfancied Burnley, shipping three goals in the first half after Cahill was sent off for a dangerous tackle. “It was a key moment. After this red card we lost our composure,” the Italian told reporters.

“We must pay attention and try to keep our heads the rest of the game. Instead we conceded three goals and despite a good second half performance it was difficult to change the result.”

Conte admits Chelsea 'lost composure' after Cahill's red card
Antonio Conte has admitted that Chelsea “lost composure” after the key moment of Gary Cahill’s red card in their sensational opening-weekend 3-2 defeat to Burnley, but played down any idea of a slump.

Conte, looking tired and disgruntled, said he preferred not to talk about the referee who also sent off Cesc Fabregas in the 82nd minute after the Spaniard earned a second yellow card for an ill-timed tackle on former Chelsea man Jack Cork.

Conte paused and thought long and hard when asked about referee Craig Pawson’s decisions, then said: “I think that the coach can make mistakes, the players can make mistakes, the referee…”

Conte said his halftime team talk, which along with the introduction of new striker Alvaro Morata who scored on his debut, appeared to completely transform the game, involved pointing out how the players had panicked and lost their shape.
“I like to tell always the truth and in the second half we changed totally the situation. We didn’t lose the balance and we tried to change the final result.”

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