Inter striker Roberto Boninsegna discussed the Nerazzurri’s Europa League defeat to Sevilla and the current situation of coach Antonio Conte in an interview with Italian broadcaster Rai 2, speaking on the TV show ‘Tg Sport’.
“We suffered too much, it wasn’t the real Inter and we collapsed at a distance. But it must also be said that we faced a great team. I heard Conte when he spoke after the game and I didn’t understand much of what he was saying.”
The 76-year-old Italian spoke about what Conte said after the game and highlighted how it was a difficult year for the 51-year-old Italian coach, who received a threat and bullet in the mail back in November.
“Probably he was disappointed for losing this match and then he expected to win something, but we lost in the Champions League immediately, then the Coppa Italia, the Europa League, in the league we came second, one point below Juventus, who didn’t play well in the last three games.
“It’s been a difficult year, Conte probably took the hit and exploded in these statements. Certainly, family is important, but I don’t think they can be included in these comments.”
Boninsegna commented on how Conte’s reaction may have been fair considering the criticisms made toward the club and him.
“When you lose you try to see where you can look to fix things, Conte still has a contract for two seasons, he gets €12 million a year and he must respect it.
“From the statements he’s made there’s something to it. Probably in a difficult and discouraging moments it went over the top in certain respects.”
Finally, the former Inter striker discussed how Conte needs to understand that he has received backing from the board in the transfer market and that the chances of seeing Max Allegri arrive in the role are slim considering Conte’s contract.
“Allegri has won five league titles and you can’t talk about him badly, but this idea must be set aside precisely because of Conte’s contract and the wages which are very high.
“Conte asks for a blank cheque for next year, but he and Marotta have already had it, since Zanetti and Ausilio counted little while he did all the technical work. The club have satisfied him in everything, ten players have arrived, from Lukaku to Sanchez and Barella, unfortunately the results were still missing.”
Conte will meet with Inter’s executives tomorrow, including president Steven Zhang, to discuss transfer market objectives and his future. The Nerazzurri president is hoping to heal the wounds and mend the situation entirely.
