Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists that respect exists between himself and his Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho.
Earlier in the season, when Chelsea beat Manchester United 4-0 in the Premier League in what was Mourinho’s first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked by the Blues in December 2015, the Portuguese tactician was not impressed with Conte’s antics.
Conte was seen riling up the Stamford Bridge crowd towards the end of the game and it angered Mourinho, who felt the gesture was disrespectful towards him.
The two managers came up against each other two more times in the present campaign, with Chelsea edging out Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup in March before the Red Devils beat the London outfit 2-0 in the corresponding Premier League fixture at Old Traffford the following month.
And Conte, who admitted that he is willing to do anything to win, however, explained that he has respect for Mourinho.
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“We are like animals during the game I’m ready to do anything to win”, he was quoted as saying by Italian daily Corriere della Sera, when asked if he had arguments with Mourinho.
“I proceed from the assumption that on the playing field, the rule is – you die and I live.
“There is no escape.
“The important thing is that there is respect.
“After the game everything is finished.”
Conte, who has already guided Chelsea to the Premier League title, could end the season with a double if the Blues beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
