Inter Coach Conte: “There Is Room For Improvement, We Must Continue To Work”

After achieving a victory in his first ever Milano derby, Inter coach Antonio Conte spoke to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia following Inter’s 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the Serie A.

“We have room for growth, we must continue to work. Let’s not forget that just three days ago we had a performance below our level. I see the glass as half full because I’m convinced that that performance has raised the level of attention and made us play this type of derby.”

“I’m especially happy for the players, they deserve to feel this joy, and for our fans, the derby is always the derby. For me it was the first one and I wanted to present myself in the right way.”

The 50-year-old Italian coach then spoke about Inter’s position at the top of the league table.

“Before the match I told them we had to win to stay in the lead. We’re happy, but even in Spalletti’s first year, Inter was leading. That’s why I repeat: you have to work. We were all disappointed after Slavia and today we are satisfied. The road is long.”

Conte then discussed the dressing room quarrel between Marcelo Brozovic and Romelu Lukaku.

“There was no quarrel, just clarifications verbally. And it is right that they should happen. I was an obstinate footballer and I know what it means. It happened to me and in the evening, we were even stronger. They’re all good guys, we also need a bit more malice. Brozo and Romelu are exceptional, we’re too good a group.”

The Nerazzurri coach also spoke of the importance of a tight-knit squad.

“I always put ‘we’ before ‘I’. Also, because with the “I” you don’t go far. We don’t have players who win the game on their own, but we have a lot of important players who can do it if they’re put in the right context. And I don’t name names, otherwise someone will ‘sit down’.”

Finally, Conte touched on the importance of his physical training sessions.

“We have certainly worked in the right way, today the difference has not been seen from the physical point of view despite the fact that we had just played a few days ago and they did not. We dared to be alive, brilliant, with an all-round pressing.”

“It’s hard to ask for such a performance if you don’t have the legs. The problem? There’s not just one, but a few. I hope we’ll fix them; it would mean we’re growing up.”