Inter coach Antonio Conte spoke to gathered reporters in a press conference today ahead of the Nerazzuri’s league clash against Juventus tomorrow, in the first Derby d’Italia of the season.
First Conte discussed his expectations for tomorrow’s game against the Bianconeri.
“A match between two teams that are currently at the top of the league table. Two teams that have done better than the others so far. We’re talking about the seventh game; the values will come out as we go on and that’s why I always say that we’ll see more ahead from our side.. It’s certainly a great game that many people will want to watch. On our part there must be the desire, enthusiasm and courage to play this type of game.”
He then touched on what this game means to him.
“Every game is very important to us. As I’ve been repeating from the beginning, every game is a step forward in every respect, even when you run into a defeat like Barcelona. We need to understand where we did well and where we need to improve.”
“We have to understand that if we want to play at certain levels, we have a long way to go. We’re playing against a team that has dictated the level in recent years in Italy and has done very well in Europe.”
“Great credit to those who have worked on it over the years and made it a battleship. They have worked well and are an example, that is beyond doubt”.
Conte spoke of the team’s fatigue and the condition of former Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku
“It’s the last game of this cycle, in the next one I hope to have a larger group of players. Some have done overtime; I hope to start better in the next mini cycle. Our league starts from this, from involving all the players in the squad so that some are not forced to play all games consecutively.”
“It’s important for those who, like Inter, fight for the championship, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, to be able to draw on the entire squad. In this mini-cycle I couldn’t do it because some were slightly behind in the tactics or from a physical point of view.”
“But we’re at the beginning, the tank is full. These are games that give important energy regardless. We get there in the right condition, with the right enthusiasm, after a game well played in Barcelona. It will be another important step against a team that I can’t say how many positive things they have. Lukaku? He will play if he gives guarantees of his fitness, otherwise it will be another players turn.”
Conte gave his thoughts about the project ahead of the club.
“As I said, this is the beginning of a path. We have radically changed the situation compared to previous years. A lot of people talk about the incoming purchases but not about the sales, players who were considered key for Inter have left. We’ve added valuable players with very little experience in games for important objectives.”
“This path will have to be taken and for us the growth in the value of the squad will be very important. For me the work will be important because through the work the guys are improving, they have to grow from a tactical, physical and self-esteem point of view.”
“This is great work that needs to be done. It will take time, but we’re working hard, and I’d like to thank the guys because they’ve given me a lot of support. But we will have to take steps, it’s a path over years to understand where to improve and grow in everything. One thing I think can be said, that we are working day and night to bring the car to 200 kilometres per hour. We are sure of that and everyone has to be.”
The 50-year-old Italian wasn’t impressed that some said his team only had a 1% chance to win the league this season.
“When you talk about 1% you have to put the fact that you see in the situation the possibility to work, grow and aspire to fight to win. I saw this when I talked to the directors, when I talked to the president. It’s inevitable that there’s a lot between saying and doing. This word is often abused, we win from here and we win from there, but we have to turn what we say too easily into facts. Often the verb “to win” is used a lot but few people know what it means. I was asked to come here to transfer this and I try to do it with a group of guys with whom it is a pleasure to work beyond the results.”
The Nerazzurri coach then discussed if he had any fears about finding more errors in tomorrow’s game.
“Absolutely not. Let’s not get confused. After Barcelona, I was the first to say that the decisions taken should not be an alibi. I manifested a discomfort that I felt at the beginning, but if you think you can find in me an excuse or alibi, stay light years away. If Barcelona won, it is because they have done something more than us. We made very avoidable mistakes and on these we will build something more positive to try in the kind of games where you deserve to lose less. For the rest, for me the best always wins, beyond the events.”
Conte commented on the recent petition started by Juventus fans to remove his star from outside the Allianz Stadium, and the reaction of the Bianconeri chairman Andrea Agnelli.
“I’m sorry Agnelli intervened in this situation at all because by intervening he has given importance to a boorish & vulgar proposition devoid of values & manners. He’s given space to ignorance. I shouldn’t even touch on this subject because only 10 days ago I spoke here with you saying and I’ll say it again that often the fault also lies with you [the press] because you give space to boorish situations, to really ignorant and vulgar situations. That literally teach us 0. I don’t need to thank anyone; I would have preferred if no one would give space to these ignorant and stupid people.”
The former Italy and Chelsea boss touched on the personality of his Inter squad and want he wants to improve.
“When I talk about growth, I mean everything. We will depend a lot on our growth, on what we do this year. From the growth of individual players. As I said before, there are good players in the team who can become top players through work. My job is to help each individual player improve because improving the individual improves the goal, the ambition, everything. This is fundamental. For my part, I can’t help but make myself totally available together with my staff because the boys want to be heroes. They want to be able to have their say, so there’s only one way: to work. Our ambitions, what we’re going to do, go way beyond individual and collective growth.”
Conte also discussed the Nerazzurri’s first half performance against Barcelona in the Champions League earlier this week.
“What we did in the first half is more or less equal to the second. But we defended in the second half deeper, in the first half we did it more up the pitch. This is what we did wrong in the second half. We must also understand our mistakes and the merits of Barcelona. However, we must improve in our advancements when we are defending and weaknesses when we attack. In our heads, however, there must always be the idea of moving forward as soon as we can, of putting pressure on the ball. For all 95 minutes and especially when we are in trouble.”
He spoke of Maurizio Sarri’s Juventus and the struggles of the Bianconeri squad in adapting to Sarriball.
“Everyone has their own philosophy, that said Juve won five games and drew one. They’re already used to winning, they’ve got players in the squad who’ve won so much. They’re a team made from every perspective, then we can talk about creating more goal situations, but the base is already done. There are players with experience and important investments in the club. Juventus are a team that adds and doesn’t replace every year. They added again this year. But this is a level in which for eight years you have added something, while others have done the opposite path. There’s a big gap at the Italian level that’s not easy to fill, but I’m also saying that we’ve certainly started the race to reposition ourselves a bit closer. As a matter of fact, they have 25 players with international experience with victories and victories in the finals. They have everything. We’re only getting started and we’re trying to do this kind of thing.”
Finally, Conte talked about the Juventus fans and his feelings about playing against his former club, as well as his thoughts on the fans that signed the petition to remove his star.
“Those others are not fans, they are ignorant. I don’t involve them in the crowd of fans. I gave the message to the fans ten days ago. We’re lucky enough to be able to play a beloved sport in the world. We must set an example, convey positive values and be enthusiastic about playing football. That it is a sport, not a war. Sometimes you forget this. It is a sport that must pass on positive human and sporting values, not hate or violence. Otherwise, I am the first to raise my hand and say enough. Nobody cares about me being a coach. That is what we have to do. It will become more and more difficult because today we are in a society in which hatred and violence take root in a great way. Generations are coming on that are a beauty, because there is a depth. I’ve been in trouble since I came back from England. I see situations where I wonder who made me do it. As long as the passion for this sport exceeds this type of situation then ok. If you lower my passion, I’ll be the first to say thank you and goodbye. It won’t be a great loss for football, but it won’t be a great loss for me either.”