As pointed out by WAGNH Godfather Graham MacAree on Twitter, Conte said something rather telling in his post-match press conference after Chelsea's comeback win over Watford on Saturday.
"I didn't want to celebrate because we were 1-1, not 1-2. For this reason I pushed my players a bit. I saw also in this situation the will to come back very soon and to start to play."
"The start of the season is important to change the situation compared to last season. We know it's not easy but we are trying with all our strength. Work always pays off. I know we are very working hard. We will continue to work very hard. Normally these wins are very important to improve, to transfer the work, for our confidence to rise, because after a bad season like last year it's not easy to start, to win two games. It won't be easy but I'm pleased it happened."
-Antonio Conte; source: Chelsea FC
Most of this we've heard before but it's that first sentence that's key. A subdued celebration (by Conte standards, obviously) was quickly followed by the Chelsea head coach urging his team to get back on and get on the with the game. It's all nice and well to celebrate the 1-1, but we came for the win. Winning is the only acceptable outcome and that plays into the attitude of having a more attacking rather than a more defensive plan B (i.e. the 4-2-4).
Conte celebrating the 2 goals. #CFC pic.twitter.com/NbiRKTZ9Rf
— Conteholic (@Conteholic) August 20, 2016
Notably, the one player who was obviously on the same wavelength, even before Conte himself, was Diego Costa, who followed Batshuayi's shot into the net to grab the ball and start running it back to the center circle. Afterwards, Conte reserved his biggest hug for the center forward who now has two goals in two games.
Conte celebrating with his players after another late winner. Look at how he greets Diego Costa pic.twitter.com/rqNRa3cJqi
— Marco Messina (@Marcocalcio22) August 20, 2016
Costa collected another Costa-hat-trick on Saturday: scoring a goal, getting a yellow card, and causing controversy. Much has been made of Costa's attitude and behaviors already this season, but one thing is clear, Costa is the best on-pitch representation of Conte's personality, passion, and attitude among this Chelsea squad.
Costa is Conte's spirit animal.