Inter coach Antonio Conte discussed the Nerazzurri’s cagey 1-1 draw against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia after the game.

First, he spoke about whether today’s performance was the response he expected from the squad after their painful 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier this week.

“What do you mean by that? We missed the right result, it wasn’t a bad performance. I repeat, I liked the game. Today the same with Atalanta, a strong team. Always difficult to play against them, but also for them with us.

“We are missing the killer instinct to complete games that we could win. Failed to score a second, then we conceded this goal and we are talking about a draw.”

The 51-year-old Italian coach was not interested in the criticisms that this is a different squad to the one that lost the Europa League final to Sevilla last season.

“To whoever says this I’d say let’s take the bottle of wine off the table. Maybe even the liquor afterwards. I hope I don’t have to listen to any more nonsense like that.”

He touched on how far the Nerazzurri have grown and how today’s opponents were effective against the Milanese club.

“One must take into account the skill of the opponent. Atalanta are looking for to score from a one on one, they are used to it.

“But the very fact that we are talking about Inter today and that we expect a lot from Inter, means that within a year a team has returned that everyone is afraid of. Other times here in Bergamo you came with a helmet.”

Conte did not think that a trequartista was a core part of his tactical plan. Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen and Stefano Sensi have both also been tested in the role.

“Today, there wasn’t one, there was Barella who was a ‘pretend’ trequartista. It depends on the characteristics of whoever plays.”

Finally, Conte spoke about the Nerazzurri were in control for the first 75 minutes of the match, before suffering near the end and allowing the equaliser.

“The loser tries to fix the situation and change plays, it happened to us at home against Fiorentina. But I always tell the guys, we prepare for the games, then it’s up to those who go on the field to manage new moments.

“When we conceded the goal, there was a moment of dropped concentration and it must not happen. We are defending and going for the second ball, but sometimes we don’t understand that we have to be virtuous and read another play.”