Antonio Conte believes he is returning to Italy for the first time with Chelsea as a superior manager, reports the London Evening Standard.

Chelsea take on Roma tomorrow night in the Champions League and his presence in the Italian capital is subject of great debate in his homeland.

"When you join a different league from your own and compete for the first time, you need to understand certain dynamics; you need to bring your own ideas to your new environment.

"It was difficult and challenging but I have really enjoyed it because I feel like I'm a better manager compared to before. We must not forget that last season we didn't play in any European competition, it's important for any team to play in this big tournament [the Champions League].

"Our aim is to give it our best shot, to try our hardest and to go as far as possible."

Chelsea are two points clear of Roma at the top Group C but struggled in securing a 3-3 draw against them at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.

Conte added: "We know that this game will be tough. In the first game that we played at home, I think, at the end, it was a good result.

"But for sure, I'd like to play better and we will try to do this in the game against Roma.

"As a player, sometimes I won [at the Stadio Olimpico], sometimes I lost, as a coach it happens the same - because Roma are a strong team, one of the best in Italy. To play against them is not easy."