Building up to Inter vs. Sassuolo, Conte: “Every game is make or break”

APPIANO GENTILE - After Sunday’s 2-1 triumph over Sampdoria, Inter are already gearing up to return to the pitch. Their next fixture comes on Wednesday night at San Siro, with the Nerazzurri’s clash with Sassuolo on matchday 27 of Serie A kicking off at 19:30 CEST. With just one day left until the game, Antonio Conte spoke to Inter TV about his pre-match thoughts: “We’ll have to approach the game against Sassuolo with the right determination. We’ve analysed their loss to Atalanta: looking at the scoreline you might expect a certain type of performance, but Sassuolo played extremely well and had plenty of chances to score. We’ll need to be very aware, they’re a team in good shape with proactive ideas about how to play the game. De Zerbi is doing a great job there. We’ll need the right spirit and the right determination.”

The game comes just three days after Inter’s win over Sampdoria: “It won’t be easy, there’s never a lot of time to recover. We’ll have to be good off the ball and at choosing the right times to press: they’re good at getting out of tight situations and getting the ball forward, they’ve got good, quick and technically gifted players. We haven’t had too much time to prepare, but we’re well aware of their strengths and weaknesses.”

A packed fixture list and quick turnarounds: “The short recovery times are added to the heat: it’s a one-of-a-kind situation. We’ll look to give those who need it a rest from game to game. I’ve got faith in every player in the squad: we’re hoping to have as few setbacks as possible, we need everyone. We’re a bit short in midfield, Vecino’s carrying a knee problem and we’re hoping to have him back soon.”

The Nerazzurri centre-forwards are hitting some big figures this season: “Attackers in my sides always score, they’ve got an important role in the team: Lautaro and Lukaku are doing well, long may that continue to be the case.”

“We’re waiting for the end of the season to see what happens: we’re working hard and I’m lucky to be working with guys who put so much in. We’re laying important foundations for the Inter of both the present and future.”

As for the calendar: “I’ve found myself in all kinds of situations. Those in the lead are the masters of their own fate, the others need to pick up the pace to keep up. Juventus and Lazio have done better than us so far and as a result they have more room to slip up. For us, every game is make or break. We want to continue to be a nuisance right until the end.”

With the stadium empty, the players are more able to hear their Coach’s instructions: “I’m a very active participant in games, my players are used to hearing me. It’s true that without fans it’s easier to get your messages across, but there’s no cheering. Football is about passion and excitement.”