Antonio Conte hailed Joao Pedro as a ‘truly essential player’ for Chelsea after Napoli’s 3-2 defeat within the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Enzo Fernandez’s penalty put Chelsea in front but Napoli were 2-1 ahead by half time with goals from Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund.
Cole Palmer replaced Pedro Neto at half time and he arrange each of Joao Pedro’s goals to assist secure Chelsea’s victory on the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The result means Napoli have failed finish within the Champions League play-off places, while Chelsea are through to the last-16 where they are going to play one in all Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Monaco, or Qarabag
When asked if Joao Pedro was the turning point in Chelsea’s win over Napoli, Conte told Sky Sport: ‘Absolutely.
‘Joao Pedro made the difference, he’s a very essential player for them.
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‘Qualitatively, they were higher in the ultimate third of the pitch. They didn’t have a ton of probabilities but that’s the purpose, when top clubs shoot, they hurt. We sent in loads of crosses and created probabilities, but we want to enhance our ending.’
Conte also rued Napoli’s 1-1 draw away to FC Copenhagen earlier this month which meant Napoli needed to beat Chelsea to be able to reach the Champions League play-offs.
‘I made it clear to the lads – the actual disappointment is Copenhagen,’ Conte said.
‘That match practically doomed us, forcing us to risk our lives against a top club that won the World Cup and boasts extraordinary champions even within the stands.
‘I’m disenchanted because I might have liked to proceed competing against one of the best.’
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