Inter assistant coach Christian Stellini spoke to Italian broadcaster InterTV in their post match coverage following the Nerazzurri’s 4-3 victory over Sassuolo today in the Serie A, filling in for the ill Antonio Conte.
“The first 70 minutes were well played; it was not easy a few days after the international break. We had good games at the end of the last block of games and today we got back on track in the 70 minutes as a great team.”
“Then there were too many mistakes and a loss of lucidity. Putting together a lack of energy and tension has not allowed us to play the right match in the last 15 minutes.”
The assistant coach discussed the difficulty of playing again after the international break.
“Sometimes you realise you can’t get off to a good start, but we have to congratulate the guys on their performance in the first 70 minutes. They’re ready to work, and we congratulate them as staff. But we can’t use the international break as an excuse, we have to work on many things, and this is one of them.”
“Working on lucidity and keeping our attitude on the right track avoids problems and makes you spend less energy. We have to learn this.”
He then spoke about Stefan de Vrij’s role as a playmaker following the injury to midfielder Stefano Sensi.
“We had a few days to prepare him. He is clearly important against certain teams. De Vrij was as good as his teammates at creating the right spaces for Lukaku and Lautaro, who were also very good. We are very happy with the play of the first 70 minutes.”
Finally, Stellini touched on who is the designated penalty taker, with both Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku scoring from the penalty spot today.
“The choice is made by mutual agreement between the players and the coach, we are happy that they are serene and above all that they score.”
