Inter manager Antonio Conte has shared his belief that lethal strike force Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez can still get better and be even more important for the team ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League group stage match away to Shakhtar Donetsk.
“I am very convinced that they still have room to improve and become even more important for the team,” he explained to the media as part of his pre-match press conference.
“It is inevitable that before making comparisons with other players it is important to win something and place yourself among the best.
“I think Romelu and Lautaro, being young, have a good path ahead of them when it comes to trying to possibly win something important.”
The former Italian national team manager, who is in his second year in charge at Inter, was then asked about whether the changes both teams have made in the transfer window since their meeting in August could be an advantage or disadvantage for Inter in Kyiv.
“I think you can’t make comparisons because it was a match in which we were perfect. We were close to perfection in possession and non-possession.
“It will be important to repeat a very careful game from all points of view because for me Shakhtar are strong, with many Brazilians are good tactically and when dribbling.
“They are very fast and good at counterattacks. You do not score three goals away to Real Madrid by chance without having important values.”
Next Conte spoke on if Inter have recovered on the European stage and whether tomorrow night’s match at the Kyiv Olympic stadium is already a decisive match for the outcome of the group.
“I think Inter are slowly regaining their own dimension on a European level. After the good journey last year everyone has more experience.
“We need to continue on the subject of mentality, of the desire to play the game, to defend from the front. I think it is the right path.
“Sometimes we do better, other times a little less so but this is the mentality I want. We have a lot of respect towards all the teams but it is right that we look at ourselves and do things in the best way.
“I never want to see passivity in the two phases. I want a team ready to attack the ball carrier and create those situations that we work on and are improving in.
“Shakhtar won at the home of Real Madrid, this has changed the standings a bit. I foresee a balanced group from start to finish. We will have to be good at staying in it and trying to get through to the next round.”
Conte was then asked how much he has seen of Shakhtar since the meeting between the two sides in last season’s Europa League semi final.
“We have watched them as Shakhtar will have done with us. Shakhtar are strong, they are a reality in European football.
“Congratulations to them because they always manage to find very good players I remember when I faced them in the Champions League with Juventus, they had very strong players that nobody knew like Willian, Srna, Mkhitaryan, Fernandinho.
“Today they have very strong players again. Congratulations to them but as said we have great respect and time. We want to play the game with our weapons.”
