Former Inter defender Antonio Paganin has hit out at Inter manager Antonio Conte following the Nerazzurri’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the group stage for what was the third consecutive year.
“There is no plan B and Capello said so too. When a coach shows up in the press room, even if it is difficult to remain calm, he has to explain things,” Paganin insisted in an interview with Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb’s radio station TMW Radio, earlier on tonight.
“Fans at home want to understand what went wong. Conte is lacking when it comes to communication, which today is a fundamental thing.
“Nobody denies the fact that Conte is a good coach but communication is key, but so is putting your ego aside and accepting confrontation.”
Paganin, who spent five years with Inter, then went on to share his views on the way Conte treated two Sky Sport Italia pundits during his post-match interviews last night in Fabio Capello and Anna Billò.
“Last night he treated Capello and Billò poorly, it wasn’t nice. They did well in the studio at glossing over it but this attitude is not acceptable. Those at Inter should explain things to him.”
Paganin was then asked what he thinks is wrong with Inter in Europe under Conte seeing both years under him they have went out in the group stage, much to the disappointment of fans.
“It is a team that has only won once in the group. Clinging on to referees and VAR are jut alibis to justify yet another flop. We have seen it with Juve, with Chelsea and now at Inter.
“A Europa League final is not enough to justify playing this way in Europe. He does not read the game, he struggles to change the game when it is in progress.”
In conclusion Paganin, whose brother Massimo Paganin also played for Inter, shared his views on Conte’s decision to make the substitutes when he did in Wednesday night’s encounter at San Siro.
“Last night the substitutions were late and Lautaro, even if tired, should not have been removed, because he was one of the few dangerous ones who could have hurt Shakhtar Donetsk in the final minutes.”