Antonio Conte explains why Courtois took a penalty during the shoot-out against Arsenal

A very poor strike from the Belgian 'keeper.

Paul Moore

Antonio Conte explains why Courtois took a penalty during the shoot-out against Arsenal

A very poor strike from the Belgian ‘keeper.

England fans don’t need any reminding about Euro 2004 because the name of Ricardo is probably still remembered by every supporter. If you do need a painful history lesson, cast your mind back to Euro 2004 as a prodigious Wayne Rooney lit up the group stages for England.

After getting out of a group that contained France, Croatia and Switzerland, England met the hosts Portugal in Lisbon.

After 120 minutes of absorbing football, the game finished 2-2 at extra-time as Frank Lampard’s goal on 115 minutes forced penalties. During a dramatic shoot-out, the gloveless Portuguese ‘keeper saved Darius Vassell’s penalty before he stepped up to convert his own spot-kick and seal Portugal’s spot in the semi-finals.

Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois probably had similar hopes of success when he volunteered to take a penalty against Arsenal in their Community league decider but it didn’t pan out.

Granted, nobody is reading too much into Arsenal’s win at Wembley, but speaking with Chelsea’s official website, Antonio Conte has explained why the Belgian shot-stopper took a spot-kick.

Don't quit the day job ❌

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois blazes his penalty over the bar during the shootout vs. Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/DtvPrq2Cz6

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 6, 2017

‘Courtois is one of the best players to kick a penalty. If you have a player that shows you during training to be one of the best, you pick him to shoot a penalty. Don’t forget also that Morata is a forward and he did the same,’ Conte said.

Elsewhere, Petr Cech felt that the fact he worked with Courtois so closely during his time at Stamford Bridge might have influenced the Belgian’s decision making from 12 yards.

“Obviously we played together and we made a lot of challenges during the training session in the penalty shoot-outs so this is not usually where he shoots. So this is probably why he missed as normally he buries it in the top corner on the other side on the way I went so obviously maybe the fact we know each other and I know the players, maybe it made it more difficult for them.I hoped he was going to put it where I was going but obviously, you know…’ Cech said.

Chelsea start their league campaign at home to Burnley while Arsenal get the season underway against Leicester City on Friday night.