Conte: “We always need to go at 200 km/h in order to achieve the maximum”

LECCE - Despite creating a lot of chances, Inter were forced to settle for a draw at the Via del Mare on matchday 20 in Serie A. It finished 1-1 in Lecce, where the Nerazzurri initially took the lead through Bastoni in the 71st minute before being pegged back by Mancosu six minutes later.

“The final result stems from the fact that we’re a team that needs to go at 200 km/h, we cannot afford to be off the pace,” said Antonio Conte after the match. “Something like this can happen but, looking at the statistics, we should have picked up the three points. It’s evident that if we go at an average pace, if we go into cruise speed, we become a normal team and aren’t able to get a result. We went at full pelt throughout the first half of the season and even beyond that.

“Lecce changed their system today, lining up in a deep 5-3-2 formation and covering all the spaces. It becomes difficult when the opposition plays like this. We managed to find some solutions but were imprecise in the attacking phase. We needed to be more determined and ruthless because we had opportunities and conceded a goal, one which leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. The transfer market? I don’t want to talk about it. The Club is making its evaluations, but I’m happy with my players and don’t want my words to be twisted. I’m a coach and need to try to get the best out of my players. If we want to maintain a high points average, we need to continue to keep going at the maximum.”