Inter manager Antonio Conte has spoken at the pre-match press conference ahead of Inter’s Champions League group stage encounter with Borussia Dortmund and firstly dismissed the idea that tomorrow night’s match is a final for Inter.

“It seems an exaggeration to talk about this match as a final already but it is certainly an important match against a strong team. The finals come later. We will face a very strong team who can hurt us on the counter-attack,” he started.

He was then asked if he thinks this is the first real test of maturity for the team.

“I disagree, we have to score points in every game. From day one we worked on the need to get an idea and score points. We could have done more against Slavia, we deserved much more against Barcelona. Now we have a another game against a very strong team, but that does not change our mentality and the need to score points is the same as what we had against Sassuolo.”

He was then asked about Borussia Dortmund’s injury problems.

“I don’t like to talk about the absences of others. Other players will play. We only have one day to prepare for the game. They are very good at countering in the open field. We will have to be very good at avoiding this kind of situation. You know fine well what our idea is. When in possession there are predetermined positions of the players and therefore you take some risks. In our phase of possession against Sassuolo, we got things wrong, lost and ball and gave up three goals.”

Next he was asked about Romelu Lukaku, who has five goals this season and goalkeeper and club captain Samir Handanovic.

“Romelu came to embrace me and all the others because he was very happy with the goal. We can easily pass from a crisis situation to the one in which you score two goals and everyone celebrates Lautaro and Lukaku. We need a great balance and I tell this to the players. Above all, we need to evaluate the performance. It is inevitable that if the players score we are all happy. Romelu has integrated well, this is a group where it is easy to settle.”

“Handanovic is the captain and an important player for us. He has experience and has been here for many years. We are happy with our goalkeeper.”

He was then asked if he thinks a repeat of the Barcelona performance would give Inter a victory against Dortmund.

“I don’t know but we must perform consistently for sure. We have to give everything and have no regrets. We must play to the best of our ability. This is the most important thing. It is a very difficult tournament, we are trying to create a path in the Champions League but we don’t have many players who have had this experience before.”

Conte was then asked for his thoughts on Inter’s poor defensive record with them conceding eight goals in their last four matches.

“There are situations which we have to work on, I explained that before the Sassuolo match too. When a new coach arrives and there are new methods and new ideas, you can work and try get your ideas across but with seven games in 23 days you have no time to go over certain situations.

“It is inevitable that you will pay for it sometimes. I repeat though, we have been working recently and certain situations have yet to be implemented, worked and reviewed. When you play every three days, this is impossible. After Dortmund we have Parma and then Brescia.”

One journalist then made the suggestion that Conte should try playing Valentino Lazaro as an attacking midfielder in a 3-4-2-1.

“I thank you for the advice you give me, maybe I will recommend some pieces for you to write…Having said that, Lazaro could not play there in a 3-4-2-1. We signed him from Hertha, a mid-table team and we have to factor in that players can have difficulties when joining a big team. We signed him bas We have to put in a budget that could have some difficulties in jumping into a big one. We must have patience and confidence in him and I have.”

He was then asked about the match with Sassuolo.

“For 70 minutes the team expressed themselves in an excellent way, perhaps in the most complete manner since the beginning of the season but then there was some problems. The players are the first to be sorry for what happened.  We have to work and know that we have done positive things and then evaluate the aspects that have not gone so well. We work to avoid repeating negative situations and suffering.”

Conte was then asked about Marcelo Brozovic’s comments during the press conference wherein the Croatian said he hopes to improve.

“We are talking about an already important footballer right now. If he continues to work like this he can become a top player in his role. It is up to him to work to succeed and reach certain levels.”

He was then asked for his thoughts on Lautaro Martinez, who has shown real signs of improvement this season.

“Lautaro must work, keep his head down and put the pedal to the metal. He must not think that goals are the be all and end all for a striker. He must also work for the team. He is working well and becoming a complete striker. I like it when he works for the team, he provides assists or scores goals, but he has to grow a lot in some areas but he has important potential.”

The next question saw Conte return to talk about tomorrow’s game as he was asked if this is a game Inter can take another step forward in.

“All the games are steps. Beyond the results I want to see improvements from all points of view. It is a game, we know we must try to win this game. At the same time we know that we face a strong opponent. We must give our all without having regrets in a serene and concentrated way.”

Next he spoke on the improvements made by Antonio Candreva this season.

“Antonio, like all the others, is giving 100%. They have all been made available. You have to get into Antonio’s head and work on him. He has great potential and at the same time needs great confirmation. I expect growth from him from all points of view. I know he can still do much more.

Next he provided an update on injured duo Danilo D’Ambrosio and Stefano Sensi.

“Today it is difficult to talk about it. D’Ambrosio has a micro-fracture, it will be important to assess the pain he has. We will have to wait for the player to give his availability. I think he will do a check-up tomorrow for Stefano. We monitor the situation and await news from the medical staff.”

He was then asked how important the approach will have on the result of the match tomorrow.

“It will be important to approach the match well but also to manage the game. It is important to manage all the phases of the game, we just have to look at what happened against Sassuolo, especially in games like this where with the slightest error they will punish you.”

In conclusion he was asked about the troubles Diego Godin has had in adapting to the three man defence.

“The way of playing has changed for him. He is working so much from a tactical and physical point of view. He is a serious guy that wants to do what he can and learn. I will continue to try and get all the players in the best condition. I am delighted with the availability of every single player and the desire they have shown toward what they are doing.”