Antonio Conte preparing for Antoine Griezmann threat as Atletico chase miracle at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits he is worried by the threat posed by Antoine Griezmann when Atletico Madrid come to town on Tuesday (5 December).

The Premier League champions have already booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League but Atletico are in need of a minor miracle if they wish to join them. Diego Simeone's side must win at Stamford Bridge and hope FK Qarabag deny Roma a win in the Italian capital to stand a chance of progressing to the last 16, with their hopes largely pinned to a resurgent Griezmann.

The France international, who has continued to fuel talk of a move to Manchester United, recently went on a run of scoring just one goal in eight La Liga matches, but has thoroughly addressed that drought with a return of four in his last three appearances – including a spectacular bicycle kick against Roma which kept his side's Champions League hopes alive.

While he insists his side cannot afford to solely focus on stopping the former Real Sociedad star, Conte admits Griezmann's form now demands special attention.

"The situation has changed," Conte told a press conference on Monday. "Three games ago, there was a Griezmann problem because he didn't score. Now he's scoring.

"Griezmann is a top player, a fantastic player, playing in a great team and showing he is a top player. We must pay great attention not only to him but to all the players."

Chelsea secured a hugely impressive win at Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano in game week two thanks to an injury-time winner from Michy Batshuayi, a result that left Simeone's side on the backfoot from an early stage. Draws home and away to Qarabag may ultimately cost them their place in the last 16 but Conte is expecting the La Liga giants to throw everything they have at his side in hope of keeping their European aspirations alive.

"Madrid is always a strong team, before and now. They are in a good moment of form but the same for us. The game will be open because Atletico Madrid will try to win the game but it will be the same for us.

"The only difference, the final result for them is too important. For us we are qualified. But as I said, a great team has to play every game to try to win."