Inter manager Antonio Conte has stressed that it is difficult to play so many games in quick succession given it gives him and his team little time to recover and prepare.
“Should squad rotation be expected? Let’s see,” he began his pre-match press conference this afternoon ahead of the match at San Siro.
Next he was asked what has made him most proud of his team following the league win over Sassuolo last weekend and the UEFA Champions League group stage win against Borussia Monchengladbach in mid-week: “The fact that we covered our ears and thought about playing and doing our best.”
He was then asked about the risk of there being some tiredness given they will face Bologna tomorrow and then Shakhtar Donetsk in the final UEFA Champions League group stage game on Wednesday.
“Fatigue is inevitable. We now had one more day to recover than last week. This is the greatest difficulty, having to play all important and decisive games and having very little time to prepare for them and regain energy.”
He was then reminded of the fact that Inter lost to Bologna last time the sides met in Milan.
“Last year we lost an incredible match with Bologna, we were winning 1-0 and dominated the match. After the missed penalty we conceded goals on the counterattack.
“It was a game that made me very angry and was one which which was difficult to give an explanation for. At the same time, we know how determined and strong Bologna are.
“We know that they play at good pace and have had a week to prepare for a match in which the level of guard is raised by having to face a great team.”
The former Juventus and Italian national team boss was then asked how Inter can avoid going behind first for the fifth consecutive home game.
“If there is a way, I don’t know. If the statistics say this, we have to be better. Today, however, talking about home and away games becomes difficult because there are no fans.”
Conte was then asked whether he agrees with the notion that the team have shown more concentration in the last two wins than they have before.
“For sure the final result affects all the judgments and many situations a bit. Having said that we try to improve everything, both from the point of view of the tactical organisation and the spirit or the approach and management. You can always improve on everything and we work for this.”
Next he spoke on Radja Nainggolan and whether the Belgian will be available: “No, he has not recovered. As for the situations of the individual players you have to ask the club.”
Next he was asked about Nicolo Barella’s growth and whether or not Stefano Sensi could start in the match against Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side.
“Barella also needs to improve, like the whole team. He knows very well that he has room for improvement, he knows where he has to work and improve.
“Also because he is very young and therefore remaining with his feet on the ground he can do it. Sensi, on the other hand, is not ready yet.”
In conclusion he was asked about the importance of working daily from a physical point of view given that Inter are playing a lot of games.
“From a physical point of view you have to be good at calibrating the moments because when playing every three days it is difficult to find space to work on a physical level and on what the player needs.
“We hope to play every three days because it means that we are going ahead in competitions but you have to calibrate everything well.”