Antonio Conte has moved to dismiss claims that have been made that he does not care about the Champions League and is only bothered about Serie A.
“So many people have said things but that is why football is so good. Because everyone can talk about it and it is right they talk about it but perhaps talk some crap at times,” he explained in an interview with Sport Mediaset.
“We are playing in the greatest competition and we will try to give our best and progress in the competition. We know full well that we have not started very well but we also know that we have started a journey and that this path includes important steps like matches tonight.
“We want to play our cards right and continue the journey we have started and put into practice what we have prepared. We will try to play with intensity and surprise Barcelona. We are talking about one of the strongest teams in the world.”
Conte then spoke on Romelu Lukaku’s absence.
“We must about who is available, we have the utmost trust in the boys, each and every one of them. Situations like this can happen but it also happens to the others. We have to get good at overcoming such inconveniences. I feel sorry for Romelu because this is an important match and everyone wants to play at the Camp Nou.
He was then asked about Lautaro Martinez, who has struggled in recent weeks.
“I have the utmost confidence in all the players, they know very well that we have all started a journey. There is room for improvement for everyone. Lautaro is very young and let’s not forget that last year he was not starting, he is making important steps, he must continue to work seriously as he is doing and think that he can be a top player in the future. Now he has a lot to work to do but, I am very happy with what he is doing.”
