ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says that Chelsea risk enduring another disappointing season unless they find a way to become a team both on and off the field.
Chelsea fell to Real Madrid 3-2 on Saturday in an International Champions Cup match, but the scoreline flattered the Blues. Real scored three times in an 18-minute spell of the first half, and largely cruised from there. Two Eden Hazard goals late in the match pulled Chelsea close, but the tallies came after Los Blancos had replaced all of their starters with younger, more-inexperienced players.
"I know it's not easy to play this game against another great club after only two days of rest, and after a flight of four hours and a half," Conte said in his post-game news conference. "I know this because I knew the team was a bit tired.
"But today, I think that this match is very important for us because after this game it's clear that we have to work together always -- without the ball and with the ball -- because if we think that we can't work together when we don't have the ball, it's not possible for us. It's not possible, and we risk to repeat a bad season. Today, I think we weren't a team in defensive situations. It's important because in the last game, I appreciated a lot our defensive situation and I told also that we can improve when we have the ball. Today, [we were] better with the ball, but bad without the ball."
Conte did find time to praise Hazard, who came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, and tallied on two breakaways.
"Hazard, he's recovering the good shape," he said. "I liked him in this position, like a forward," he said. "I think he can be a good solution for us. Also to play winger but also to play like a second forward. He must improve his [fitness], but he's working, he's working. He knows that his shape can improve a lot, in the same way as the other players."
Another substitute, Michy Batshuayi, also made a positive impression, threatening Real's goal on more than one occasion.
"I think Batshuayi's shape is improving," he said. "He's starting to understand our idea of football, and today, I'm very happy for his commitment. He can improve a lot in the same way as the other players. I'm happy for [him]."
Conte was quizzed about the club's possible activity on the transfer market for players both inside and outside the club. Diego Costa has been linked with former club Atletico Madrid, though the signing of Kevin Gameiro by Los Rojiblancos lessens his likelihood of returning there. Conte said that Costa didn't play in the match because he is injured, and may see the field against AC Milan if his fitness improves, but didn't exactly put to rest speculation that the Spanish international is on the move.
"I speak for today, and today Costa is a Chelsea player," said Conte. "Tomorrow, if you ask me will he remain with us, I don't know."
Conte declined to comment on the club's reported pursuit of Romelu Lukaku, saying he wouldn't talk about players from other teams.
As for his own players, Conte kept returning to the theme of teamwork.
"My experience in my career as a player and a manager teach me if you want to reach a good target, if you want to fight for the title, you must be a team," he said. "You must be a team inside and outside of the pitch. It's very important and it's important to understand this and transfer this thought on the players because we must become like a family. And I think this is the key to switch, compared to last season. If we understand this, we can switch. If we don't understand this, it's not good."