Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte has explained why he started Eden Hazard and Diego Costa on the bench in the FA Cup semi-final.
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The star duo were surprisingly omitted from the starting line up, with Willian and Michy Batshuayi hand starting berths.
However, Hazard came off the bench and bagged a goal and an assist as the Blues won 4-2 at Wembley Stadium.
"Our plan was this," Conte was quoted as saying by ESPNFC. "I tried also to tell our players to stay in the game, because [if] we pass more time [on the clock], it was better for us. Then I decided last 30 minutes to put Eden and Diego in, and then Cesc [Fabregas], because don't forget Cesc was very important also for us.
"I must be pleased because in this game I involved all my players in our idea, in our football," the manager added. "I think it's very important in this part of the season that everyone, every single player, feels a part of this project.
"In this part of the season when you know you have to play three tough games [in a week], you must make strong decisions and take responsibility to make these decisions. It's not easy to decide to start the game without two important players, Hazard and Diego, but I think you must take this responsibility and you must involve your players in your plan and then take this risk."
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