Inter manager Antonio Conte shared his thoughts and feelings ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League group stage match at home to Barcelona in the pre-match press conference.
“It is an important match because we are playing for qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The fact we have reached the final match with the possibility of qualifying should give us satisfaction and pride. With a win or the same result as Dortmund, we would go through to the next round,” he said.
He was then asked if he thinks Barcelona will still be dangerous despite it widely being expected that they will rotate.
“We are talking about Barcelona, who are one of the strongest in the world and they have a very strong group of players. They are one of four of five teams each season who set out to win everything. They have 20 players who can all play as starters. I think Barcelona are calm because they are already sure of first place but we have to think of ourselves and face this match in the right way.”
Next he was asked what Inter can target should they progress.
“We live in the present. Tomorrow we will face Barcelona with the possibility of going on in the competition. This should give us enthusiasm. It is important for us to go step by step.
Conte then spoke on whether he thinks the team are better than they were when they first met Barca.
“Two months have passed and we have taken many other steps forward. In Barcelona we played a great game with a lot of courage and desire and we have won some important games since.
“We have grown in some respects and it is inevitable that we will try make the most of our strengths and characteristics in this match. The game ill be difficult and there will be moments when we will suffer. We will have to be brave and create problems for them when we have the ball.
“We expect positive energy from our stadium, from all sectors at all times to help the team to overcome this obstacle, which is very big. We must all pursue this prestigious goal all together and therefore I am convinced we will have so much positive energy.”
The former Italian national team manager was then asked if he thinks the team’s strong mentality can make up for the number of absences they have.
“It is something that we have been dealing with for a while. Many of the players are growing and becoming more responsible. They are trying to fill the gaps we have in the team at the moment.
“There are three games left until the winter break and we have the right enthusiasm. We must continue like this and try to give everything and then some.
“We know that there is no second chance if we do not win tomorrow or get the same result as Dortmund. This must give us enthusiasm and desire to do well.”
He concluded: “I always ask for respect for me and the players. It is useless to look back. We must always look ahead. We look forward to tomorrow. We need to be focused on the game, give our all and the rest will come by itself.”
