Inter coach Antonio Conte believes the Nerazzurri played well and deserved to win against a good Roma side who relied on counterattacks, he told Italian media immediately after the game.
Speaking to InterTV after the final whistle, the Nerazzurri coach lamented dropping the lead but praised his players after what Conte deemed was a good performance overall.
“Of course it’s disappointing conceding the equalizer two minutes from the final whistle, especially since I think we deserved to win.
“I wasn’t even that disappointed after the first half, Roma focused a lot on counterattacks where they tried to restart with fast players.
“I think we performed well, but at the end we were a bit tired, also on a mental level especially when Roma gave all they had for an equalizer at the end.
“At that point our high pressure wasn’t that high. But I have to credit the boys, for most of them this was the third game in a week and it’s impossible not having to pay for that.”
The former Chelsea and Juventus coach then continued by looking forward to the upcoming Coppa Italia game midweek against Fiorentina, revealing how he will be approaching that game and signalling that many changes to the lineup are to be expected.
“It is impossible not to make any managerial decision for the game against Fiorentina, because we have played three games with the same lineup and it’s only fair to let players that didn’t get that much playing time a chance.
“Don’t forget that if Inter wants to achieve something there is a need for depth in the squad therefore I can’t see why I shouldn’t let other players get some time.
Antonio Conte continued to express that the approach against Fiorentina is to be seen in light of the upcoming game in the Serie A against Juventus, at home at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milano’s San Siro district, Sunday 17th of January, with kick-off scheduled for 20.45 CET.
“Against Fiorentina we will probably use players that haven’t played that much and then we will prepare for the game against Juventus.”
In conclusion Antonio Conte touched on the compliments paid to his Inter side by Roma coach Paulo Fonseca who stated that Inter are difficult to counter on.
“Yes, obviously there is structure and physicality. I read what Fonseca said and his words make me happy because hearing that from an opposing team’s coach is important.
“Now we have to continue knowing that only hard work will take us where we want to go.”
