Inter coach Antonio Conte discussed the Nerazzurri’s tough 2-1 loss to Bologna earlier today in an interview with Italian broadcaster DAZN broadcast moments ago.
“There is little to say, also because it is quite clear what happened. We all have to take responsibility. First me because I’m the coach and then the players who go out on the pitch.
“I think we gave the game away today, it’s not the first time, it happens and it’s happening a lot, it has happened throughout the season and it has happened after the restart. Certainly, there are situations and assessments that need to be made.”
The Lecce born coach touched on Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez’s missed penalty but didn’t blame the 22-year-old too much for his mistake.
“It’s hard for me to explain how you’re playing eleven against ten, you’re ahead, you have the chance to score a penalty and you don’t, but you always stay eleven against ten and with the game in full control.
“And then what happened happened. But I repeat, it’s not the first time. We have to ask ourselves questions, I ask myself questions and so the players have to as well.”
He commented on the fact that Inter have lost an incredible 18 points after being ahead, discussing whether it is a defensive issue or something else entirely.
“Since I’m the coach I’m the first person that is responsible, I try to get answers through my work. The only thing I can say is that from now until the end of the season each of us, and me first of all, must all show that we can stay at Inter.
“That goes for the coach and all the players. If there’s a winning project here and if there’s a desire to win again, we have to understand if the coach is the right coach in order to win and if the players are the right ones needed to win.
“From here to the end it will be a test for everyone, starting with me. We’ll have to try to give everything we have knowing that we’re all under question. That’s the way it should be.”
The 50-year-old Italian didn’t want to comment on who out of Lautaro Martinez or Romelu Lukaku is the designated penalty taker at the club.
“These are things I prefer to keep in the locker room, the details change the situation. Let’s lick our wounds, I hope that some poison will flow in the players, even if 1% of the poison that flows in my veins, because if that’s the case it would be a good starting point.”
Finally, Conte spoke about whether he still has hope in the remaining games of the season and the importance of qualifying for the Champions League.
“After giving away games like this, apart from this I’m also thinking about the points we lost against Sassuolo, it becomes difficult. You have to end the Champions League discussion as soon as possible and try to make as few mistakes as possible.
“I repeat, we’re all under scrutiny and we need to show that we can take part in a winning project, starting with the coach right down to the last person who works at Inter.”
Inter are currently 3rd in the league table after 30 games, sitting four points behind Lazio and 11 points behind first place and rivals Juventus, who are now the favourites to win the league title after the Biancocelesti’s disappointing 3-0 loss against Milan yesterday.
