Conte hits out at Aguero and was ‘afraid’ for Luiz

Antonio Conte: Not happy with challenge

Antonio Conte: Not happy with challenge

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has hit out at Sergio Aguero over the wild tackle that left him “scared and afraid” for David Luiz.

Centre-back Luiz will require a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s clash with West Brom, with his knee still marked from the Manchester City striker’s ferocious high challenge in Chelsea’s 3-1 win in Manchester last Saturday.

The tackle sparked an unsightly melee at the end of last week’s encounter with players and staff of both sides involved. Aguero was sent off, along with City’s Fernandinho, while Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah and Cesc Fabregas were booked.

Aguero has since been banned for four games by the FA but Conte has admitted he feared for his defender in the tackle and has been angered further by watching replays of the incident.

“I have to check on Saturday if David Luiz is able to play on Sunday because, after this tackle I don’t know,” said Conte.

“This tackle was very bad so I have to check on his recovery from his injury. It will be very important for him and for me to decide whether he’s able to play on Sunday.

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“That tackle was dangerous, for sure. I watched the images and I was afraid (he might be injured). I was scared. He’s trying to recover from this tackle.

“I only realised after I saw the replays. That’s when I saw this was very dangerous for David Luiz.”

Luiz and Aguero had clashed earlier in the game with the Chelsea defender perhaps lucky to escape a red card himself after appearing to deny his opponent a goalscoring opportunity.

The pair also have history with Aguero having sparked a furore with a two-footed challenge on the Brazilian in the 2013 FA Cup semi-final.

Of the matter, Luiz played down the incident: “I don’t like to publicise things. This is not part of the beautiful football.”