Real Madrid and Barcelona have bossed the Champions League the past four years, and Sevilla won the Europa League three years in a row before Manchester United won it last season.
Chelsea’s opponents tomorrow night, Atletico Madrid, featured in two of the finals, losing both times to their fierce rivals Real.
The last final to not feature a Spanish team was 2013 when Bayern Munich beat Dortmund in Jupp Heynckes’ final game.
And you would have to rewind another year to find the last English Champions League winners.
Fortunately for Conte, Chelsea were that team after a fairytale route to the final culminating in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Perhaps that could encourage the Italian boss who has made it his personal mission to stop the Spanish stranglehold over Europe’s elite club competition.
He said: “The last few years for sure in this competition, and also the Europa League apart from last season, the Spanish teams have dominated.
“It means these teams are very strong and very good and also have a lot of experience in these competitions. We have to try to change this history.
“Atletico Madrid is a really good team with great experience in this competition.
“In the last few years they have always played a great Champions League, and to reach the final twice is not simple, it is not for all the teams.
“It means you are strong team with a good coach and good organisation and for sure, we must pay good attention.”
The Blues stormed to the Premier League title last season but benefited from the lack of European football which derailed their opponents.
The former Juventus manager said: “Chelsea last season did not play in this competition so we are excited to play it, but for sure tomorrow we know very well we have to face a really good team.
“We have to play every game with the will to try to win. I watched Atletico’s game versus Roma and they played very well and maybe deserved to win the game.
“We were playing against Qarabag and played a really good game, and tomorrow is an important game for both teams.
“But this season for sure we have great enthusiasm and desire to show we deserve to play in this competition.”
Chelsea face Atletico Madrid in their new stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano, tomorrow night at 19:45.
