Inter coach Antonio Conte discussed the Nerazzurri’s exciting 3-1 win over Bologna earlier tonight in an interview with Italian broadcaster DAZN after the game.

“Bologna’s goal came unexpectedly. We could and should have done better. Sometimes we’ve reopened games that we were dominating, and we had a bad experience with them in July. Today we were determined, careful.

“The guys know that they have to keep their threshold of attention very high always, because in this way it is difficult to play against us. But if we give it up for a moment, we concede.”

The 51-year-old Italian coach commented on his tactical decisions against the Rossoblu.

“Unlike other countries, in Italy a very tactical football is played. We tried, even today we alternated moments of high pressure and aggression on the ball. We are working well, looking for just this kind of balance.

“The very high pressure paid off given the results of the past year, but at the same time opponents are studying you and it is inevitable to give something more with that kind of pressure. The best thing is to be balanced, tight in both phases.

“We are working on it and I think we are more compact, more confident. It being understood that everything done before is also baggage when you have to force games.”

The former Juventus and Chelsea coach then spoke about the performance of Moroccan wing back Achraf Hakimi, who scored twice against Bologna this evening.

“We are talking about a guy who is 20 years old, who has only had two experiences. I repeat, in the Bundesliga you play less tactical football, they study you less.

“Hakimi is working, he also understood a little bit the difference of playing here in Italy.

“He has to work, he has a lot of room for improvement and he is in the right team with the right coach. He can become a specialist in that role, the best in the world.

“But I repeat, he has to work a lot. These performances increase confidence as some mistakes in the past had caused self-esteem to go down.”

The Inter coach thought that it was still possible for Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku to grow more.

“In my opinion, yes. I called him a diamond in the rough when he arrived here. He had arrived where he had arrived only because of his qualities, while working with him he can become one of the strongest in the world.

“He is on the right track, he has everything, physical qualities, he has strong legs. Everything. An American football player. I have insisted a lot for him, not only at Inter but also before.

“From this point of view, he is unique. And he is humble, he works a lot. I am happy with him, like Lautaro and Sanchez.

“Alexis still has to be more decisive, to score a few more goals, but let’s not forget that he has been inactive for 2 years, now he is regaining confidence on the field and he also allows me to rotate. And then when he enters the current game, he can be decisive.”

Finally, Conte spoke about his relationship with Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, who seems destined to leave the club in the upcoming January transfer window.

“A very good relationship, as with everyone. And I do not tire of repeating, everything I do is for the good of Inter.

“When I choose a player, the last thing I look at is their face, who he is, I do the evaluation from tiptoes to neck. Christian is working hard and is available.”

Inter’s win over the Rossoblu means that they are second in the Serie A table again, sitting on 21 points, two behind rivals AC Milan, who play Sampdoria tomorrow.

The Nerazzurri’s next game is against Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk next week, a vital Champions League clash. Antonio Conte’s side need to win if they want to qualify for the next stage of the competition.