I have great respect for him because he s a winner. I like his mentality. He has a winning mentality. For sure, he s one of the best in the world and, here, he did a great job. I think every single fan must respect him.
There was a suggestion that Mourinho may have gotten to the former Italy coach, however.
Mourinho said last month: It looks like this season to be phenomenal defensively and good in counter attack is art. a thinly veiled dig at admirers of Conte s team.
But the Italian says sitting on the back foot is the last thing on his mind.
I have to tell you one thing, Conte said. Not only here, but I never, ever, ever train for the counter-attack. Never prepare for the counter-attack. Never.
I think the counter-attack is an option, above all, if you have this type of player, players who are very, very fast. Also [Diego] Costa is a counter-attacking man, and Willian and Pedro.
It s normal to have this situation with space, so they know what they can do.
For me, it s important to train the other aspects: when we have the ball, when we stay almost always in our opponents half, to prepare when we are attacking.
It s very difficult to train counter-attacking but it s not my priority.
