- Chelsea host Hull City in the fifth-round of the FA Cup on Friday night
- It gives them more time to prepare for the visit of Barcelona on Tuesday
- Antonio Conte’s side face both Manchester clubs before the second-leg
Antonio Conte says Chelsea’s Friday-night fixture will not give them a Champions League advantage – because of how tough their schedule is between the two legs against Barcelona.
Chelsea have been handed an 8pm Friday kick-off against Hull City in the FA Cup, giving them more time to prepare for Tuesday night’s visit of the runaway Spanish league leaders.
But Conte’s side follow that game with two games in Manchester: against United on February 25 and City on March 4.
Antonio Conte believes Chelsea will gain little from having more rest ahead of Barcelona visit
Crystal Palace also come to Stamford Bridge before the second leg in Barcelona on March 14.
The Italian will be desperate to avoid a draw against Hull with the added weight a replay would add to his stretched squad’s legs.
‘I think to play on Friday is good for us,’ Conte said. ‘Three days to try and prepare the game against Barcelona.
‘At the same time, between these games, we have two strong games in the league: Manchester United and Manchester City, both away.
The Italian has lamented Chelsea’s luck in facing both Manchester clubs before return leg
‘If we were lucky to play on Friday, we were very unlucky to have this schedule between the two Barcelona games.
‘This schedule is not very interesting for us. Maybe it is for someone else. I hope for no replay (against Hull). We had one against Norwich, but I hope to try and win this game and go through without a replay.’
Alvaro Morata will get a run-out against the Championship strugglers to give Chelsea’s No 9 more game-time after his return from a persistent back injury.
Alvaro Morata is expected to get a run out against Hull as he aims to build his match fitness
Conte wants his £70million striker to build his match fitness up more to be ready to face Barcelona.
‘Morata started last week in training with us, from Saturday, after my press conference,’ Conte said. ‘Now he is training with regularity.
‘This game is another good step for him to prepare for the Barcelona game. Then I have to make the best decision for the starting XI.’