London, March 12: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has asserted that he will persist with his exuberant celebrations when his team meets Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals here on Tuesday, March 14.
All leagues special site; FA Cup: Chelsea Vs Manchester United - Preview
Conte was at the centre of a controversy last October when Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho accused him of trying to humiliate him with his over the top celebrations during Chelsea's 4-0 win.
"To talk football. To think about my team, to try through work to improve my players. These are the most important things for me and for every coach," the former Italy international said.
"My players and I are focused on the game on the pitch, on the work, and to try and improve every day.
"The mind games, they're strange, no? It's strange to ask me this. I'm very focused on the pitch. The mind games don't help you to win."
Chelsea are in superb form this season and are currently leading the English Premier League (EPL) table while sixth placed Manchester United are trailing them by 17 points.
But Conte expects a tough challenge when the teams lock horns at the Stamford Bridge Stadium on Monday evening.
"In October, before the game, I was sure we would face a great team. The same now. I think Manchester United, with City, have the best squad in the league.
"They have a number of great players with great talent and great experience to win. It can be a really tough game, for us and for them," he said.
"I think that now, for us, it's better. In October we didn't know our future. Now we are in March and we stay on top of the table.
"We have a good identity, a good team. So we are showing good football. But it will be a really tough game against United. We are facing a good team, very strong."
IANS