Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has stated that the Blues are not favourites to win the FA Cup after beating Southampton 2-0 in the semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.

Chelsea will face Manchester United in the final of the Cup on 19 May.

Second-half goals from Oliver Giroud and Alvaro Morata secured a second consecutive final for the dethroned English Premier League champions.

“The most important thing in this type of game is to reach your target, in this case the final of this competition,” Conte said during his post-match interview after his side’s triumph on Sunday.

“This final will be a game between two great teams. Last season we arrived in the final as favourites; this season we will arrive not as favourites, but last season we lost the final despite being favourites at that moment.

“It’s very important for the players, for the club and especially for our fans. I’m delighted for them. Always this season they showed great passion and pushed us in every moment, difficult moments and positive moments.”

The Italian explained why he started Giroud ahead of Morata. Giroud joined Chelsea in January in a deal worth £18m from Arsenal.

“He has been a good signing for us, for sure,” Conte explained. “I needed a player with his characteristics: strong physically, able to hold the ball up to allow our no.10 to make combinations with him.

“Morata is an important striker. He is younger than Olivier and has less experience. He is less strong physically, but he is very fast to attack the space. I’m pleased for both of them.

“I knew we had to play against three central defenders who are very strong physically, so I decided to start with Olivier, but when Morata came on his impact was impressive, in the same way as Pedro and Bakayoko’s impact was.”

Source:https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/conte-chelsea-not-favourites-in-fa-cup-final-vs-united/