Inter manager Antonio Conte believes that Inter have sent out several different signals with their resounding 4-0 away win over bottom placed SPAL.
Inter took the lead through Antonio Candreva shortly before the end of the first half. Cristiano Biraghi and Alexis Sanchez both scored soon after the second half began and Roberto Gagliardini grabbed Inter’s final goal of the game.
“The important thing for us was to send a signal of our consistency, our belief, hunger and determination, because these games on paper might seem ‘easy’, but we know there’s nothing easy,” he told sports broadcaster DAZN, after the match.
“SPAL were tough opponents and kept going. We wanted to secure a Champions League spot, position ourselves in second place again and get closer to those ahead of us, even if they are still a long way away.
“I think the signals sent by the team are ones of mental strength, even if we had a few hiccups along the way and paid a heavy price for them.”
Next he spoke on the first goal that Inter scored.
“It’s a typical move from the 4-2-4 tactic I used at Bari and Siena. It’s satisfying when you score this type of goal, as you see the work starting to bear fruit.”
The former Italian national team boss was asked about January transfer window recruit Christian Eriksen, who once again left a lot to be desired with his performance at the Stadio Paolo Mazza.
“Christian is working, he’s trying to get used to the team and a league that is much more tactical than in England. He’s a player with quality, he’s trying to improve and to be more aggressive when pressing, which is what we are asking of him.
“I’m pleased for him, he has to keep working, just like the others do. He is quite a shy lad who is settling into a new reality, a new type of football.
“He’s a really good guy, he didn’t arrive with any arrogance, but at the same time he must understand shyness is fine off the field, but he has to adapt and understand certain situations. Eriksen creates no problems, he wants to achieve important things with Inter.”
Next he was asked about the fact that the midfielders seemed to have more freedom in the recent 3-1 win over Torino than they did in tonight’s affair.
“After the lockdown we changed the system and have put a player between the lines. We try to create more alternative situations and be more unpredictable.
“We have scored with 18 different players, we want to become unpredictable. We are taking more risks than in the past but the danger index and goals scored are higher in percentage compared to before the stop.”
In conclusion he was asked whether he expects everything possible to be done in order to keep a hold of Alexis Sanchez, who has been Inter’s star man since the season got back underway.
“Alexis is a player that we really wanted. He has important characteristics, he came to us after bad seasons but we knew who we were going to get.
“We managed to get him in certain conditions and it is too bad he hurt himself. Fortunately we had great answers from Lukaku and Lautaro.
“He is now well and as for the future it is right to talk about it with the club. He is a completely rediscovered footballer, he wants to play and he is hungry. I am happy for him because he suffered so much and now he is an extra weapon.”