Conte: “A balanced final decided by moments. The boys gave everything”

COLOGNE - Inter fell at the final hurdle of their run in this year’s UEFA Europa League, as goals from Lukaku and Godin weren’t enough for the Nerazzurri in tonight’s final at the Stadion Köln. Sevilla won the game 3-2, lifting the trophy for the sixth time in just as many finals.

Here’s what Antonio Conte had to say after the game:

What was the key to this game?

“It was a tough, balanced match. Each moment in the second half could have sparked the game into life. We had a big chance, then came the unfortunate own goal. But we can only have so much regret because the boys gave everything against a team who are used to playing these kinds of games. Sevilla have won this competition several times, always doing well in finals and that’s what made the difference in the end.”

Does the team just deserve compliments?

“These boys must keep this one thing in mind: they’ve worked so hard and grown in an important way, to the point where they played in a European final. Between the Champions League and Europa League, for many of them it was the first taste of continental football. They’ve gained a lot of experience for the future.”

Will you be meeting with the President in the coming days?

“We now have to get back to Milan, we’ll take a few days off and then meet with cool heads. We’ll analyse the season and, in a calm fashion, try to plan Inter’s future. We’ve worked hard, it’s been a very tough campaign. We’ll now take time off, rest and take a look at the situation as best we can with the good of Inter in mind."