Inter coach Antonio Conte believes Inter made Shakhtar Donetsk play at a level a lot than they are capable of in their 5-0 triumph over them in the Europa League semi final.
“We reached the final playing against a team that we have made look less strong, but are strong. Shakhtar have important players and we were good at not letting them play and creating difficulties for them,” he told Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia following the full time whistle in Dusseldorf, Germany, a short time ago.
“They have a lot of quality in their passing, also pace, but we did well to force them into defending, which we know full well they aren’t as comfortable with as keeping the ball. The boys played a European match in the right way.”
The 51-year-old proceeded to discuss what it means to reach the Europa League final and also spoke on the team Inter will face on Friday night in Spanish outfit Sevilla, who have won the competition five times in their history.
“It’s satisfying for everyone. The most important thing for me is that many of the lads are playing this type of game for the first time.
“They are gaining experience at an important level in a tournament that Italy have not been protagonists in for a long time.
“Sevilla have a great deal of experience, I think they won it four times in the last six or seven years. However, we have enthusiasm, hunger and the desire to amaze people.
“Now we need to rest, recuperate and try to give some joy to the Inter fans, who I think will be proud of these lads, because they are giving their heart and soul.”
The former Italian national team boss was then asked about his public outburst which came after Inter’s Serie A season finale against Atalanta a few weeks ago.
“I don’t want to go back to certain situations. At that moment I felt things and I said them, what I say is always on a constructive level.
“It is clear that the media try to emphasise certain situations to put meat on the fire, but I know that you have to go through a few steps to be protagonists.
“I’m not a ‘political’ person and sometimes it happens that I say what I think, but always in a constructive way and without wanting to offend anyone.”
He then spoke on the team’s much improved form following a brief period of difficulty where they dropped points in several matches.
“We restarted from the work we did throughout the year post-lockdown, the boys knew it and I believed in the fact that we could make a season finale as protagonists in the league and also in the various cups.
“In the Coppa Italia we were unlucky to draw in Naples where we deserved more. Now we are in the Europa League final, while in Serie A we had two unjustifiable slips against Bologna and Sassuolo, but you can also learn from these things.
“We need to understand, improve and we have done it. I found a commendable group from all points of view and also for this reason we finished on 82 points, one less than Juventus and also having better statistics than them. Now let’s enjoy this moment and then we’ll think about Sevilla.”
In conclusion Conte spoke on the fact that in addition to winning, the team are playing well in order to achieve their victories on the park.
“It’s inevitable that when you propose a certain type of work, and everyone knows we are quite intense here physically, tactically and also psychologically, you can find a player who gets fed up and turns his back.
“However, if players are intelligent, they realise it’s an opportunity to grow, to improve and to get stronger. I am always very open and clear with my players, everything I say is for the good of the players and the club.”
