Inter Coach Antonio Conte: “We Weren’t Respected By The Referees, Everyone Changes Their Gameplan Against Us”

Inter manager Antonio Conte has shared his disbelief at the fact Inter were unable to score in either of their UEFA Champions League group stage matches versus Shakhtar Donetsk following their second goalless draw with them tonight, a result which eliminated both clubs from the competition.

“I think the team put everything into it, it’s unbelievable that we weren’t able to score a goal against Shakhtar in 180 minutes in which we dominated.

“Their goalkeeper was always the best on the field. The boys gave everything,” he told Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia immediately after the full time whistle at San Siro this evening.

He was then asked what this Inter side needs in order to make that jump up to the next level following a third consecutive group stage elimination.

“These are assessments that must be made in a calm way, I don’t think that can be done after such an exit. There is a lot of regret, a lot of disappointment, but I don’t feel like saying that it was a lack of determination.

“We failed to score and if you don’t score you don’t win. It happened in both games with them and I do think we were lucky with VAR in this Champions League.

“Now that we are out I can say, we were not respected by the referees. There were situations not evaluated or not seen.

“There is great disappointment because with a goal we would have went through but if you don’t score, you don’t win.”

He then explained his decisions to bring on Alexis Sanchez and Christian Eriksen at the times of the game that he did.

“I introduced Alexis Sanchez with 20 minutes to go. We would’ve been unbalanced with three strikers, but then I think Lautaro ran out of steam. In midfield, those were the players I had.

“It was either Alexis or Eriksen for Gagliardini, but I preferred to add another striker and go for the win. When I saw Lautaro was out of steam, I introduced Eriksen.”

Asked about the lack of anger from his team in such matches he responded: “I have nothing to say.”

The former Juventus and Italian national team boss was then asked about why Inter face problems when playing in Europe: “Shakhtar upset their system to face us in a different way.

“Everyone changes their gameplan to face us. Think before asking the questions.”

In conclusion he was asked if there is a plan B: “Yes, we have one but I won’t talk about it here, otherwise that’ll be a total disaster and that’ll get neutralised too.”