Inter coach Antonio Conte has admitted that he is proud of what he and the team are doing after moving six points clear at the top of Serie A.
Inter have opened up this gap thanks to a 2-1 win away to Parma on Thursday evening, with Alexis Sanchez playing a starring role by scoring both goals, both of which were assisted by Romelu Lukaku.
The Nerazzurri are now in an incredibly strong position to go and win their first league title since 2010.
Speaking to the media in his post-match press conference, Conte said: “Our advantage over AC Milan (six points) is real, but our lead over Juventus (10 points) is only hypothetical because they have a game in hand against a strong opponent like Napoli.
“But as I told the boys, we have to focus on ourselves.
“We are happy and proud of what we are doing.
“Our place in the table has improved compared to last year, as has the awareness and self-esteem of the guys.
“They know there are 13 finals left and we know the difficulties that this league holds.
“Parma are a team who have a great squad and they have always made us suffer during my time in charge of Inter with us, we’ve had two 2-1 wins and two draws with them.
“I am really happy because we deserved the win, when it came to gritting our teeth, we did it.
“This is confirmation of the growth in resilience of the team, we gave away a goal but we suffered in the right way.
“I want to wish Parma all the best because I have an important friendship with Roberto D’Aversa.”
Conte then spoke on the fact that the team were able to maintain peace of mind throughout the game in Emilia-Romagna.
“We were also good from this point of view.
“In the first half we granted an opportunity to Parma which Samir Handanovic did well to save, but we also had some chances.
“The first half didn’t affect us, we saw some situations in which we changed something.
“We needed a goal, we did it and we’re happy.”
The former Italian national team coach went on to discuss the growth of the team and the fact that there is now another option in the attack in Sanchez.
“The team is definitely improving.
“During the pre-match conference yesterday I talked about Sanchez.
“He came to us having barely played for Manchester United and then he got injured.
“He would always like to play but I always decide what is best for the team.
“We had Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku and every time I had to pray that neither of them got hurt, but now we have an important alternative.
“Now we are bringing Arturo Vidal back to his levels and he knows that he has to grow to get back to the top.
“Ivan Perisic has grown and Ashley Young is also doing well after a difficult spell.
“All the work can lead to us taking away some satisfaction.”
In conclusion, Conte looked ahead to this coming Monday’s match at home to Atalanta, who they drew 1-1 with earlier on this season.
“They will play to win as we will play to win,” he added.
“It will be a game that will have an important intensity to it.
“We will try to prevail and we will try to not let them win.”
