Inter manager Antonio Conte has insisted that despite results not going Inter’s way as of late, it does not invalidate the work that he and the players are doing following their 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The reigning Spanish champions went 2-0 up but Inter managed to battle back and make it 2-2. Conte’s side had chances to make it 3-2 but could not take advantage of them and were made to pay for this as Real Madrid scored late on through Rodrygo to win the match.
“Do the results invalidate the work? Absolutely not, it’s a growth process. Last year we did some important things, even in the moments when we were in difficulty,” he explained to the gathered media in his post-match press conference at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium.
“This year this growth process is continuing in the mentality, in the desire to play the game. These three Champions League matches must give us the absolute conviction that we are making important improvements.
“We are playing with the air of a great team. We came to Madrid to play against a team that talked about it being a final. Playing as we played, demonstrates a step of growth.
“For there is great conviction and trust that this is the way. The results are penalising us in an important way both in the league and in the Champions League, but we must continue like this I am much more satisfied today than I was last year after the matches with Slavia, Dortmund and Barça.”
The former Juventus and Italian national team boss was then asked whether he remains confident that the team can make it to the last 16 of the Champions League, despite the defeat to Real Madrid, which has left his side bottom of group B.
“We have absolute confidence. You have to have it seeing the performances and the mentality. We went down by two goals after situations that could be improved upon.
“At the first goal there was also a foul by Mendy on Hakimi, on the second we had to be more careful. We need to work on the details that then change the final result.
“At the same time, it is inevitable that the boys see how the work done is bearing fruit, especially in terms of mentality.
“Real Madrid aim to win the Champions League and recently beat 3-1 Barcelona. We played against them as equals and in many situations we were even superior. There is great bitterness for the final result, but I think these steps are important.”
Next the 51-year-old, who is into his second year in charge of Inter, spoke on what he feels his side lack compared to Real Madrid.
“Real are a team with players who have great experience, often they also understand the moment in which they have to kill the opponent.
“We lack that killer instinct that they have, but we are talking about a team that dominated the Champions League for years. We are slowly acquiring these qualities because we too want to become protagonists in the shortest possible time and aim to win.”
In conclusion Conte was asked about the time Real Madrid approached him to become their manager a few years ago.
“There was great interest from Real but I felt that it was not the right time. The season had already started and I need time for my ideas. I thank Real Madrid again for that offer. I’ve thought about it a lot, it’s hard to say no to Real, but I thought I had to be honest with them and possibly postpone for another time.”
