Antonio Conte has praised the attitude and dedication of his Inter players after yesterday’s Coppa Italia victory against Fiorentina.
The Nerazzurri booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition, where they will face city rivals AC Milan, with a 2-1 win at the Stadio Artemio Franchi courtesy of an Arturo Vidal penalty and an extra-time header from Romelu Lukaku.
Christian Kouame levelled the match for Cesare Prandelli’s side midway through the second half, but it was only a momentary blip for Conte’s side before they got the job done.
“I think the qualification to the next round is deserved, we would have deserved to have achieved it after 90 minutes,” he explained in an interview just released by Italian broadcaster Rai Sport following the match in Florence.
“We had important chances and at times their goalkeeper was good but at times we were too hasty.
“It was certainly a good game, a good performance by all the players.”
Conte, who is a year and a half into his tenure as Inter boss, also sang the praises of the many lesser used players who came into the line-up at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
“The players who have played less were ready and this is testament to the fact that they are serious guys who train well and have Inter at heart.”
Vidal, Samir Handanovic, Milan Skriniar and Lautaro Martinez were the only four players to keep their places in the starting XI following Sunday’s draw at Roma, allowing players such as Andrea Ranocchia, Aleksandar Kolarov and Christian Eriksen to enjoy game time in Florence.