Inter coach Antonio Conte has three doubts to the starting lineup to face AC Milan in tomorrow’s Derby della Madonnina at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan’s San Siro district.

Antonio Conte spoke to the press in the official pre-match press-conference, with his statements reported via FcInterNews.

“Good afternoon everyone, unfortunately while we were on the pitch, we received the sad news of Mauro Bellugi’s passing. We’re very sorry and we join the family in their grief.”

He touched on what kind of game he expects against the Rossoneri tomorrow.

“It’s a different derby to those of previous years because it’s a top-of-the-table game. We’re talking about two teams that are almost on a par with each other at the top of the table.

“I think it’s a great satisfaction for Milan to have this kind of match with this kind of stake. We know very well that you have to win the derby for a matter of pride and for the table.”

The Italian coach spoke about what advantage being top of the table brings to the Nerazzurri.

“I start from the assumption that you must always work with the right strength and determination.

“When you have a league table that smiles at you, you have to be even more energetic, have even more enthusiasm and more desire to do well.”

The former Chelsea and Juventus coach discussed what kind of message he has sent to his squad.

“The message is to always give our best and strive for excellence, that’s what I always tell the team. Nothing has changed compared to other weeks.

“We are working to try to build something important. It’s inevitable that this is an important game, against a strong team. We’ll need a great match.”

Conte did not think that it would be a nervous derby tomorrow given the stakes.

“No, it will be a game in which both teams will try to overcome each other. A very good referee has been appointed, let’s not forget that it’s still sport.

“I don’t see the reason why situations can be created that can harm the team.”

He touched on how, tactically, he will look to neutralize AC Milan talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“By working as a team, minimizing mistakes. We’re talking about a strong player, who is giving a lot to Milan.

“He’s scored goals against us in previous games, he might not score this time, but whether he scores or not we’re interested in giving our all and winning the derby.”

The Italian coach discussed if having the whole week off to prepare would be advantageous.

“So far, we have played every three days, we had a Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus and two days later we played in Florence.

“On paper you can talk about advantages and disadvantages but then there is the pitch. We have to be good and concentrate on what we are doing. We will work even harder, not playing on Tuesday or Wednesday.”

Conte spoke about the progress of Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen and if he’ll start against the Rossoneri tomorrow.

“I’m carrying three doubts for tomorrow’s game. I haven’t decided anything, we’ve seen improvements in Christian and we’re trying to work.

“We’ll have even more to do with him. He’s made progress, he’s come through for us a lot and that’s good for us, for Inter, for me, for the fans.”

He touched on the team’s path after the derby tomorrow and how important winning the derby is for the title race.

“There are 16 games left. I can’t forget that a lot of people wondered before the Fiorentina game how many points we would be behind AC Milan, given that they had Crotone and Spezia.

“We got there with one point more and many thought the derby would be the final blow. It’s a demonstration of the absolute difficulty of the league, where you have to play every game.

“After Milan we’ll have Genoa, then Parma, who are fighting to avoid relegation but have an important squad. We’ll go on step by step, it’s inevitable that every victory gives confidence, morale, makes you aware and this I think is the most important thing beyond putting a few points more on the second team.”

The former Chelsea and Juventus coach gave a message to the fans.

“We will give our all as we have always done for these colours and the history of the club. We will do everything so that the fans are proud of our commitment, work and self-sacrifice.”

The Italian coach spoke about his work with defender Milan Skriniar, who is seemingly back to his best this season.

“If we go back in time many seemed to have to leave Inter. The players know very well the truth and what my thoughts were towards them. I’ve always been clear with them about who was or wasn’t in the plans.

“Skriniar is doing very well, as is the backroom. I think we have found a good harmony between our six defenders, because let’s not forget that we have other players besides the starters who have always responded in an important way.

“Our strength is to feel important and to know that if you drop out others can take your place. It’s a fair internal competition. Inter’s fortunes pass from the improvement of the individual player, because this raises the level of the team.”

He spoke about if he thinks that the Nerazzurri’s style of play in their 3-1 win over Lazio last weekend was an example of the team’s increased maturity.

“We were cynical but we also missed three or four sensational goals on the last pass. I think games must be played according to a logic, studying situations and understanding how to hurt, how to strike. We did very well against Lazio, they had won six games in a row.

“Winning like that gave us confidence and strength. But that’s a separate chapter, now we’ve worked on Milan and we know the difficulties they can create for us and that we can create for them.”

Finally, Conte discussed if he would send Romelu Lukaku to Sanremo.

“There’s singing tomorrow at the San Siro first.”