Inter manager Antonio Conte has shared his belief that his team deserved to win in tonight’s crucial UEFA Champions League group stage match away to Borussia Monchengladbach.
“If you are not a real team, from a tactical, character and desire point of view, you don’t come here and win, especially at this moment,” he explained in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia following the full time whistle at Borussia Park.
“It was a match which we deserved to win, and we could have avoided unnecessary suffering. Borussia today are the best in the group.
“But we are alive and the credit goes to the boys, when they have this spirit and desire to help each other, we become a problem for the others.”
Conte was then asked about Inter striker Romelu Lukaku’s post-match comments in which he downplayed his importance to the team and admitted he is just one player in a squad of players.
“Did Lukaku say that he is one of the 25? He’s right, I ask everyone to increase responsibility, because this is the only way we can improve everyone and aim for something ambitious.
“Matches like this testify that the team is there and that there is unity of purpose.
Conte, who is into his second year in charge at Inter, was then asked about what was said during the half time interval given Inter conceded right on the stroke of half time.
“The goal in the last second of the first half could have killed us because we had created a lot and they creared very little.
“We analysed some situations and I told them to play as we had done with quality for the first part of the first half.
“It could have killed us but honestly these guys need to be supported. They know that for better or for worse we are with them. We just had to keep doing what we were doing and in the end we would have been rewarded.”
The former Juventus and Italian national team boss then went on to speak about Marcelo Brozovic and his return to action having missed out in recent weeks due to having COVID-19.
“The midfield shifts the balance in games, it’s inevitable. Brozovic came back in after having had Covid, Barella had a calf problem and is always playing.
“We took risks but it was also difficult to intervene from the substitutes bench because we had so much quality but little interdiction with Sensi and Eriksen.
“Brozo is important in both phases of play, when he puts in the work he is an important player. Gagliardini is also reliable from all points of view.”
In conclusion he was asked about the performances of Inter’s Italian contingent in this match.
“Barella and Bastoni are growing a lot, but they still have ample room for improvement. They are reliable guys from all points of view, I have to make them grow.
“I am happy for Darmian. We believed in him after his experience in England and Parma. He also gives the possibility for Hakimi to grow with patience.
“The wing-backs struggle a lot and it is right to change them during the match.”