Chelsea boss Antonio Conte blasted Premier League schedulers over his side's short turnaround from Champions League action before facing high flying Manchester City in a top of the table clash on Saturday.
Conte's men put in a brilliant performance to inflict only Atletico Madrid's second Champions League defeat on home soil in 24 games on Wednesday, when Michy Batshuayi's 93rd minute winner sealed a 2-1 victory.
However, the Italian lamented the advantage handed to City, which played its Champions League fixture at home to Shakhtar Donetsk 24 hours earlier on Tuesday.
"I think we are a bit penalised and in this case, it is very important to analyse, before taking these decisions, the different situations of the team," said Conte.
"City played yesterday at home. We played tonight away and we will return to London around for o'clock (in the morning)."
City leads the Premier League from Manchester United goal difference, with Chelsea three points back in third.
"Man City is a really strong team. They are scoring a lot of goals, they are in a good moment of form and we have to prepare well (for) this game because it is very important.
"Before taking this decision someone must analyze very well this situation.
"There is the international break (after this weekend). My surprise is for this because there is the time (to play the game later)."
Conte was far more content with Chelsea's display as they battled back to claim a well deserved three points despite falling behind to Antonio Griezmann's penalty five minutes before half time.
Former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata stretched his scoring streak to seven goals in as many games with a deft near post header from the outstanding Eden Hazard's cross to level on the hour mark.
Morata and Cesc Fabregas then passed up huge chances before Batshuayi struck the decisive blow with the last kick of the game after a patient team move tore a tiring Atletico to shreds.
Batshuayi was the unlikely hero as he came off bench just eight minutes from time to net already his fifth goal of the season despite playing second fiddle to Morata.
"To score for a striker is always important for your confidence but it is more important they understand this way to play is right" said Conte.
Kieran Canning
Agence France Presse/Madrid
Conte's men put in a brilliant performance to inflict only Atletico Madrid's second Champions League defeat on home soil in 24 games on Wednesday, when Michy Batshuayi's 93rd minute winner sealed a 2-1 victory.
However, the Italian lamented the advantage handed to City, which played its Champions League fixture at home to Shakhtar Donetsk 24 hours earlier on Tuesday.
"I think we are a bit penalised and in this case, it is very important to analyse, before taking these decisions, the different situations of the team," said Conte.
"City played yesterday at home. We played tonight away and we will return to London around for o'clock (in the morning)."
City leads the Premier League from Manchester United goal difference, with Chelsea three points back in third.
"Man City is a really strong team. They are scoring a lot of goals, they are in a good moment of form and we have to prepare well (for) this game because it is very important.
"Before taking this decision someone must analyze very well this situation.
"There is the international break (after this weekend). My surprise is for this because there is the time (to play the game later)."
Conte was far more content with Chelsea's display as they battled back to claim a well deserved three points despite falling behind to Antonio Griezmann's penalty five minutes before half time.
Former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata stretched his scoring streak to seven goals in as many games with a deft near post header from the outstanding Eden Hazard's cross to level on the hour mark.
Morata and Cesc Fabregas then passed up huge chances before Batshuayi struck the decisive blow with the last kick of the game after a patient team move tore a tiring Atletico to shreds.
Batshuayi was the unlikely hero as he came off bench just eight minutes from time to net already his fifth goal of the season despite playing second fiddle to Morata.
"To score for a striker is always important for your confidence but it is more important they understand this way to play is right" said Conte.
Kieran Canning
Agence France Presse/Madrid
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