Inter manager Antonio Conte spoke with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia following the 3-1 away win over Napoli and he firstly spoke on achieving his 100th victory as a manager in Serie A.

“Honestly. the press officer only just informed me about this but I do not look too much into statistics.

“I do not agree with those who have said we just sit and defend and counter. We pressed Napoli right at the edge of their box for the whole game.

“I hear people always saying we play counter attacking football, but this is a side that knows what it has to do every time it is in possession.

“We play knowing full well everything we have to do at any moment of the match. Fortunately, our opponents respect us more than the media seem to. People say we win away because we defend deep and go on the counter, but that is certainly not our approach.”

Next Conte spoke on how important it was for his side to start back after the winter break with a win.

“Obviously it’s an important win, as winning away to Napoli is never easy for anyone. Napoli have in recent years been the main challengers to Juventus, with Inter a long way back, so closing that gap this season is an important step.

“We played with character, it’s a game that gives us more confidence in what we are doing and allows us to go forward with the same courage.

“As I always ask, we have to show courage when pressing high up the field and then defend when we need to, but that’s true of all football.

“There are risks, as if you press high and get it wrong, that means you can leave gaps at the back and be in danger on the counter, but that is the nature of this approach, you can’t cover everything at once.

“We could have dealt better with those situations this evening, but Napoli have this as one of their strengths, so we were bound to run a few risks here.”

He then explained his decision to once again call upon young defender Alessandro Bastoni over Diego Godin.

“I have to make certain choices. He is only 20-years-old and is not only our future but also the present. He plays out from the back well and with a lot of personality and he has a great future ahead of him.”

In conclusion, he was asked if he thinks Romelu Lukaku is performing as best he can.

“Lukaku is clearly rubbish [laughs]. I have heard everyone say that, it’s good that they continue saying that, it works great for us. He can improve as can Lautaro. I have always said that he and Lautaro are rough diamonds. We are working on many things with them such as playing as partners.

“I have always wanted Romelu in my time and chased him when I was at Juventus and Chelsea. Now that I have him, I am working to try and improve him. I am happy that both he and Lautaro Martinez are doing well.”