Inter coach Antonio Conte discussed the Nerazzurri’s clinical 3-1 win over Bologna earlier tonight in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia after the game.
First, he highlighted how today’s win was a sign of the growing maturity in the squad.
“Absolutely yes. We had great respect for Bologna, Sinisa gives an excellent interpretation of the game and the team has ferocity, never gives up.
“In July we suffered a comeback from them, showing that it is difficult to play against Bologna.
“We knew that it was an important game for our journey, winning the confidence and self-esteem and ahead of Wednesday’s game we needed a performance and a match like this.
“The guys had perceived it and I conveyed it in an important way. Congratulations to them.”
The 51-year-old Italian coach then touched on the performance of Moroccan wing back Achraf Hakimi and if he expects the players to respond to him like that.
“Yes, but the answer is to understand that every choice that I make, whether or not it can be shared by you or not, is always in function of the good of Inter. Only I see what happens on the pitch.
“Hakimi is putting himself at the service of the team, he is understanding that he can become an important specialist, at the top level, in that role. At the same time, he is realizing that he is not a finished player and that he has to work.
“These are the answers I want from the players, for me the wing backs are fundamental and these answers make me happy. Darmian did very well in Germany, as Perisic did very well.
“We have to be a team that, whilst playing every three days, we can prepare for all the challenges while still being able to let some rest.”
The former Juventus and Chelsea coach spoke about the upcoming Champions League clash against Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk.
“Seeing the first leg and the games played with Real Madrid, it may be that they will arrive defensive because they have good players, so they will try to close the spaces and take advantage of counter attacks.
“We will have to be very good not so much in finding offensive solutions, because we will find them and the guys know it, but in not giving them space. It will be a tough challenge, Shakhtar can still progress.
“At the same time, we want to play all our cards. We have to show maturity and patience as a great team, taking to the pitch with the awareness to bring home the result. It will be one step further, as it was with Borussia.
“We will get there loaded for this win and for a performance that prepares you for games where we know how to play for all or nothing. We could go to the next round or exit Europe.”
Conte spoke about the condition of Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal and the rest of his midfield.
“I don’t know, now it is right for the guys to rest. Tomorrow they will stay with their families as before there was no opportunity to give them half a day of.
“I will try to take advantage of any free space to study the best solutions to keep the hope of progressing in the Champions League.”
Finally, Conte spoke about if he’ll be thinking about Real Madrid’s match against Borussia Monchengladbach next week, a result that does affect Inter’s hopes of progressing.
“Honestly, we are talking about levels and teams that are so high-profile that I can’t think of a Real Madrid that plays for a tie. Today they risk dropping out of the Champions League, but we have only to think about us.
“Last year we lost to Barcelona when we were the masters of our destiny, but these teams always play to win. We only think about us, if we win, we can go on in the Champions League.
“It won’t be easy to beat Shakhtar because they are also playing for qualification. We shouldn’t have any regrets, we have to show that Inter studies as a great team.”
The Nerazzurri have seemingly bounced back after their sluggish start to the season, winning their last three games in a row across all competitions. Their win leaves them second in the league table, behind AC Milan.
