Inter manager Antonio Conte has discussed a range of different topics as part of an interview with Chinese news outlet PP Sports, which is run by Inter’s owners Suning.

He started the interview by discussing the impact of the global Coronavirus crisis and what life was like in quarantine.

“The suspension of the Serie A due to the Covid-19 emergency certainly represented a new situation for everyone, it is difficult to say what kind of influence this stop can have,” he began.

“For us it was an opportunity to work, to review the first seven months, the negative and the positive things. We tried to optimize time, to study new solutions and situations.

“The quarantine allowed me to dedicate more time to my daughter, which I can hardly do normally since work often takes me away from home.

“Managing training in this situation has been totally new and I have to thank the players for the great professionalism and helpfulness shown.

“My staff have been very precious, and I thank them too. We did a great job, we stayed close to the boys in such a delicate moment with video calls.”

The former Italian national team manager then went on to share his delight at how training has went ahead of the 2019/20 Serie A season resuming this weekend.

“I am happy with what has been done from a technical, tactical, physical and video analysis point of view. If I have to find a positive side to this emergency, it is that I have had time to focus and try to find aspects to improve our team.

“We have to be ready, even if we cannot make a comparison with the pre-season games. Here there are three points up for grabs, it’s totally different. Playing every three days, training and playing matches whilst temperatures are high will not be easy.”

The former Juventus and Chelsea coach spoke about the squad’s health as well as in particular Alexis Sanchez as well as being able to work with Christian Eriksen.

“We have not been very fortunate during these months. We lost players to injury who had been doing well for months. Now we have the whole squad at our disposal, Alexis Sanchez is also in good condition.

“I have also been able to work with Christian Eriksen, this way I have been able to insert him in the right way with the rest of the squad. We have been working on being ready and at our best. In every situation you have to raise the bar, we have been working during this with the aim on making Inter better.”

Conte proceeded to share his views on the fact that games will be being played behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

“The games behind closed doors, without fans, are strange and different. Playing with the fans is so important, but we must face this emergency and hope that as soon as possible we can play in front of the fans again. Football is so beautiful and full of passion and it is right to share it with people.”

Next Conte shared his desire to take the team to the next level and admitted that hard work will be required to achieve this goal of his.

“There are no shortcuts. We need hard work, sacrifice, effort and passion. I have desire and ambition, I always want to raise the bar and ask everyone who works with me, every day, to do that.

“I think a good path has started and when you start such paths you have to believe in it and want to face the difficulties. You have to be aware that by working in this way you can grow and become competitive to try to win something important.”

Conte then went on to share his delight at the growth he has seen in the team, particularly when it comes to their mentality.

“I am proud of how this team’s mentality is growing. The players are aware that if we want to be competitive and fight to win, every single player must raise their level.

“This is very important. I see a great willingness on their part to doing this thing, doing so raises the level of the whole team. I see great dedication and desire to work. I am very proud of this and I am happy to be the coach of these guys.”

In conclusion he spoke on putting the team together.

“The coach is like a tailor, he has to sew the best possible suit on the team. We have worked on many aspects, we have recovered the injured. Now there is the possibility of having all the rose available and I worked on it.”