Inter manager Antonio Conte has admitted that he and the team are well aware that they are in for a tricky match tomorrow night away to Borussia Monchengladbach in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
In his pre-match press conference which took place this afternoon, Conte started out by discussing the last Champions League match which was a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Real Madrid which left Inter’s chances of qualification to the next round in tatters.
“Many negative judgments were expressed for the match against Real Madrid. Many people also spoke of a match in which Real did what they wanted forgetting that from the 30th minute we had 10 men and we had conceded a penalty after four minutes,” he explained.
“I challenge anyone to be good and change. As I said, I was satisfied with the commitment on the field when we were outnumbered, at the same time we created those situations and they penalised us.
“We must be good at working and improving to ensure that these negative conditions are not created. Tomorrow’s match is against a very good team that are doing very well in the Champions League.”
Inter do not find themselves in control of their own Champions League destiny given their poor start and the former Juventus and Italian national team boss was then asked about how confident he is about being able to get through to the next round.
“At the beginning of the group we were the arbiters of our destiny, if we are no longer arbiters it means that we have failed in some situations.
“Having said that, the only way to try to stay alive is to win tomorrow. We know it will not be easy, Gladbach have demonstrated their strength.
“At the same time it is an opportunity for us to follow up on a path that began in Europe where you often find yourself playing important matches. There is an opportunity to test ourselves once more in these situations.”
Next Conte was asked if there is a specific reason for the struggles that €45 million Summer transfer window recruit Achraf Hakimi has experienced in recent weeks.
“I don’t like talking about individuals, but I understand that you have to do your job. Go and reread what I said at the beginning of the season about Hakimi.
“He has great potential but he has to work hard especially in the defensive phase. Let’s not forget. that in Italy there is much higher pressure and expectations than in other leagues such as the German or English one where there is more enjoyment.
“Here there is pressure. The boy must continue to work, knowing that there are expectations here and totally different pressures than in Germany.”
He was then asked about the much improved performance in the match versus Sassuolo this past weekend, in which Inter had a notable increase in terms of their balance.
“I continue to reiterate a very simple thing, which can be accepted or not. We found ourselves after a short period of time forced to play official matches with players that hadn’t played with Inter, that hadn’t ended last season with Inter, like Hamiki, Kolarov and Vidal.”
“Darmian had already played with me, just like Arturo and they were more experienced from this point of view. We had to put players who needed to work a lot to understand certain situations.
“Instead we found ourselves throwing them away. It is inevitable that in all situations balance is needed. Situations need understood and the players are understanding that there are different conditions than in the past.
“Sometimes we managed to find the result, sometimes less. I think that the situation is clear.”
