Conte: "The Lazio match is another step in our development"

MILAN – There’s no time to look back: the #DerbyMilano might be fresh in the mind, but Wednesday’s 21:00 CEST kick-off against Lazio at San Siro is just around the corner. This afternoon at the Suning Training Centre, Coach Antonio Conte responded to questions from the press. This is what he had to say: “Lazio will be a very difficult obstacle to overcome, one of the most difficult since the start of the season. They have an identity, with Simone Inzaghi – an excellent and underestimated coach – having been there for a few years. They haven’t sold any important players, everyone knows what they’re doing and a big project is taking place. We need to be aware that tomorrow will be a complicated and difficult game where everyone will be needed to push us on.”

We find ourselves in the midst of one of the most congested periods of the season in terms of the number of games being played: “It doesn’t change anything, we mustn’t forget who we are because it’ll be like this until the end. The game against Lazio is another step for us. If we take to the pitch still thinking about the Derby and all the praise we’ve received, we wouldn’t have understood anything. We need to start from scratch and provide important answers. We’ve only played four league matches, and a long road is ahead of us where we’ll also suffer setbacks. And when this happens, we’ll need to get back up and go again. Let’s keep our feet on the ground. Napoli need to be considered, for example. They’re a very strong side. Then there’s Juventus, an exceptionally strong team. And then there’s us along with the other teams.

The matches in quick succession will provide an opportunity to test out those who have played fewer games too: “I’m working to increase the number of players in contention to start. It’s important, because when you’re involved in such a difficult league and also have to play in the Champions League, you do use up a lot of energy. I’ll take risks, but they’ll be calculated risks. Everyone needs to have the opportunity to enter into a certain type of discourse".

Conte also spoke about individuals: “This method applies to everyone, including Sanchez, Biraghi, Lazaro, Bastoni. I work in the interests of Inter. De Vrij has had a small problem but plays in a position that allows him to play many games. I’m pleased that our midfielders are getting efforts in on goal and scoring: the more arrows there are on the bow the better. In my teams, midfielders have always played a decisive and important role.

Barella has important characteristics and can still improve a lot. He’s a selfless player, just like I was. He’s a bundle of energy, and we need to do well in terms of channelling this energy towards where we want it to go. We need to avoid scenarios where energy is wasted. He has great potential and a desire to work. He’s shown willingness and dreamed about playing for Inter. He could be Inter’s backbone for ten years.

“When you begin a new project, the hope is that this project lasts a long time. The longer you stay at a club, the more it means that your ideas are taken on. You’re able to work with a group of players who can only develop and improve. If a coach remains at a club for a long time, it’s definitely an advantage. I hope to do this here. I would really like to thank Gabriele Oriali for his work since I’ve been here. Javier Zanetti is also close to me. I’ve had to fortune to come across people who believe in what I’m doing and who support me.”

Conte also commented on off-the-pitch matters that have affected the Italian league: “I think that hatred and resentment are often fuelled by those who write. Everyone needs to be more responsible.”