Inter manager Antonio Conte has insisted that he and the team will do everything in order to get the win in tomorrow night’s final UEFA Champions League group stage match at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.
“The situation in midfield is not the best. We will make some evaluations and I will try to make the best choices. Tomorrow you will see them,” he began his pre-match press conference which took place a short time ago.
He was then asked about whether he trusts that there will not be a draw in the other group stage game and how he can get the team to focus on their own game rather than the other game.
“The reality of the facts is that we have to win against an excellent team. We have important problems when it comes to drawing up the line-up and for this reason we should be even better.
“A week ago we were dead, before the match against Borussia. Now we have a glimmer of light and we have to think about winning.
“As for the rest I’m not worried at all, we are talking about the Champions League and big clubs. Not a tournament set up in a bar.
“I hope that no one can ride on these kind of situations, I think it’s depressing for us to hear talk about these inferences. Everyone will play to win their game.”
Next the former Juventus and Italian national team boss was asked why his side deserve to go through and whether the team is at the highest level or if there is still room for improvement.
“I’ll make an appointment at the end of the game for the answer to this. I think a path has begun and we are trying to carry it forward in the best possible way. We want to improve ourselves and we have room to do it.”
He was then asked to recall the reverse fixture between themselves and Shakhtar Donetsk and whether he expected the match to end goalless.
“The game was hard fought, Shakhtar are a very good team who are coached by a very good coach. Playing against them is never easy, it’s the third time in a very short time.
“Each game has its own story. We don’t have another path, while Shakhtar can go through with two of three possible. We will try in every way to get the win.”
Conte was then asked about whether or not he thinks Arturo Vidal will be able to play in the match given the thigh problem he picked up in the win over Bologna at the weekend.
“Arturo is not available for tomorrow. Risking him would mean lengthening the injury time and we cannot afford that in that department.
“He will be very sorry to miss out but at the same time we won against Borussia without him. We will use these absences to face the difficulties all together.”
In conclusion he was asked how he is feeling on the eve of the match against the Ukrainians.
“As I have already said, at this moment, frankly, today’s training will be important. I will make assessments that will be decisive for tomorrow’s match.
“There will be important changes, especially in a certain department, but at the same time we need to be aware that we have to overcome all difficulties.
“If we manage to do so it will be even more beautiful.”
