Inter Manager Conte: “We Gifted Lazio Their Goals, They Were Entirely Avoidable”

Inter manager Antonio Conte has shared his thoughts and feelings having watched his side fall to their second defeat in as many games as they lost 2-1 to Lazio.

Inter took the lead at the Stadio Olimpico just before half time but Lazio would score twice in the second half to secure a massive win for the Serie A title race with thanks to goals from Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Conte started by admitting that he was annoyed by how his side conceded both of the goals and feels his team could have done better with both of them.

“I think it was a good performance, it’s the result I didn’t like and the way we conceded the two goals, as we gifted them to Lazio,” he remarked in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the match.

“We were not impeccable, but inevitably in these big games, the details become decisive and the margin of error becomes reduced. It’s part of a growth process, there was some naivety and these lads must try to be more relaxed in these situations.

“We were too soft on the two goals. We had other situations this season where we had taken the lead and threw points away, for example also Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, games we had in our grasp and ended up losing.”

Next he was asked what he thinks was missing from his side’s performance.

“I thought it was a very balanced match in which no side dominated the other one. These were two teams with precise tactical identities, they faced off trying to win and play their game. It was decided by two goals that in my view were entirely avoidable. I was a player and I know this very well.”

He then returned to discuss the first goal and whether it was a case of miscommunication between goalkeeper Daniele Padelli and the defence.

“I don’t want to get into the details, but we must be more calm and confident in those situations. Sometimes we get too frenetic, whereas we should keep cool heads, learning from the work we do during the week.”

Conte went on to add that the team cannot be disheartened after what he believes was a good performance, the result aside.

“We have to grow in terms of character, because we were winning a head-to-head, came out for the second half and in my view were too timid in our passing.

“I don’t know why we seemed frightened, but after we went 2-1 down, we got back to playing the ball and attacking them. However, it was a good performance in a balanced game. We have to work and believe in what we do.”

In conclusion he spoke on Christian Eriksen, who came off the substitutes bench during the second half, and whether he provided a balance to the team.

“You must always find balance in the first place, with players who give you balance both when defending and attacking. We got this far without Eriksen, we must not think that a single player can change a team. We must continue to work without thinking that this or that could change the situation.”