In an interview with Inter’s official club broadcaster Inter TV, Inter manager Antonio Conte reflected on last night’s 2-1 win over lowly Sampdoria as the 2019/20 Serie A season got back underway.
An absolutely dominant first half performance had Inter deservedly winning 2-0 at the half time interval and although performance levels dropped and Sampdoria pulled one back, Conte’s men were able to see out the match and pick up an all important three points.
“First of all, I wish to say that there is great sadness for the victims of Covid-19. We are still experiencing an incredible situation, which has left a lot of bitterness,” he began the interview.
“Seeing all these victims in the world is so sad. It has affected everyone and it is difficult to find the words.
“In addition, we are saddened by the loss of a great player in Mario Corso, especially as a man. I was lucky enough to meet him. He was a bright person who loved Inter and was nice to talk with. It was a sudden thing, I am very close to his family.”
Conte proceeded to dissect his side’s performance against La Samp.
“We did everything. It was an excellent performance, we created a lot, but then we only scored two goals. I keep saying to the team that we have to learn to kill our opponent, the same happened in Naples. They went on to the final and we were sat in front of the TV.
“You have to understand the difference in this and read the phases of the game. Emotionally they got back into the game after their goal, not so much in terms of the competition though. For us it was the game of life to still have hope, that is what helps to reach extraordinary goals.”
He then admitted that he and the team are all believing in their title chances despite them sitting down in third at the moment.
“We are six points from the top. I believe and the team believes too. We are in tune with one another, we want to play to the end as it is right for a team like Inter to do so.”
He then spoke on the fact that Inter are facing a further 12 games in quick succession to one another.
“We must count on the whole squad as we will not always be able to play the same players. I am happy with the work done by the boys and with the fact that they believe. Not winning against Sampdoria would have been fatal but by winning we have put pressure on the others.”
He concluded the interview by speaking on January transfer window recruit Christian Eriksen, who started for the second consecutive match last night and once again performed well.
“We worked on a new system and we also worked on integrating the new players. He had arrived not in exceptional physical condition, but I expect even more from him.
“Today he could have scored at least two, he has the quality and therefore he has to make the most of it. Both he and the others have to be even more cynical if we want to fight to the end for something more important.”
