Inter coach Antonio Conte discussed the Nerazzurri’s important 4-2 comeback win over Torino earlier today in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia after the game.
“Crazy or not, I don’t care. I have to make a very careful analysis and I didn’t like our attitude in the first half at all, very negative.
“I asked for competitive fury, because here we can talk about tactics and technique, but in the end, you have to put everything on the pitch.
“We were disappointing in the first half. I also understand the difficulties after the international break, but at the same time we cannot afford this kind of situation. We have to improve.”
He commented on how the squad need to rediscover their fire and desire that was present last season.
“Last year we ended with ferocity and desire. We have to rediscover these aspects, both old and new. Sometimes I use the stick and sometimes the carrot.
“Then the second half is better because it is the proof that there is heart, desire, fury and desire to win.”
The 51-year-old Italian coach touched on how it was the third comeback of the season for the Nerazzurri. Only two wins this campaign haven’t come from a losing position.
“We are not yet a great team, because a great team does not systematically allow these situations in 12 games. We have to work on this aspect to become one.
“Sometimes there are causes for concern and you fall into the trap, instead we have to make the game hard for the opponents.
“Only there we can talk about Inter vying to win, otherwise it is talk. And many do it also to create problems. I always expect honest intellectual analysis.”
The former Italy and Juventus coach did not think that he was asking too much of his squad.
“In any game there is always a common ground and it must always be there, otherwise we’re talking about nothing.
“I am not a coach like that and what I have won I have won not only in terms of physicality and fury. I do not accept being told something like that.”
Finally, Conte spoke about his impact on the game and how a coach’s role has changed since his playing time.
“Let’s say that we were very slow at the start. Then we raised the pace and the ball was flowing fast.
“Today the coach makes a difference, it’s not like before when I was playing and there was a lot of improvisation. My football is not throwing my hat in the air and going to war.”
The Nerazzurri’s win over the Granata sees them rise to fifth in the league table after eight games, only a single point behind reigning champions and rivals Juventus.
Conte and his squad will now be looking ahead to their next game, a crucial Champions League fixture against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
