Conte: “We'll be able to measure our strength during our upcoming matches"

APPIANO GENTILE – Inter’s 17th fixture of the Serie A season is coming up tomorrow, with the Nerazzurri set to take on Roma in the capital. Ahead of the showdown at 12:30 CET, Antonio Conte spoke to the press today. This is what the Inter Coach had to say:

What kind of match will it be tomorrow? “They are a strong side and are doing very well. They’re part of the group of teams that can fight for the Scudetto or Champions League places.”

Two difficult matches against Roma and Juventus are coming up, and there’s a Coppa Italia fixture to play in between. Will they help gauge your ambitions? “When you play against sides like this, you’re able to measure your strength against other strong teams. These are certainly matches where we can gauge our ambitions.”

Looking at your recent matches, it’s clear that Inter have been performing better in the second half of games. Can you provide an explanation for this? “I don’t know if there’s an explanation. Last season, we tended to start strongly and then, at times, dropped off. I think that our approach to games this season has been right, including against Sampdoria. I always need to look at our attitude, and we’ve never been found wanting in this respect. It can simply be the case that one season you score more in the first half and the opposite is true during another campaign.”

Is the financial situation a concern? “We need to focus on the pitch and give absolutely everything for Inter, this must be our only obligation from now until the end of the season.”

What are you expecting from the next three games? Where would you like to see the team grow? “Results underpin everything because they affect judgements. Therefore, what I want to see is for us to get results.”

How decisive could the next eight days be? “We’ll be playing two matches against very strong sides who will fight for the Scudetto and a Champions League place. When you’re up against such sides, it gives you great motivation. They’re matches where you can measure your strength and ambition with actions.”

Last year, you finished the league season with the best defence. This campaign, you’re conceding more. How can this be explained? “In every situation in both attack and defence, the team as a unit need to take credit or otherwise. Sometimes, there’s the tendency to only talk about strikers when it comes to the attacking side of things, but the whole team get involved. The fact that we’ve scored so many is testament to the fact that we’ve been excellent in attack and our forwards are put in a position where they can find the net in every single match. Many of our players join in with the attack and we’ve had various goalscorers. When it comes to defence, we were perhaps more balanced as a team last year because, as is the case when we attack, we defend as a eleven-man unit and are conceding more this season. We certainly need to improve.”

How has Vidal been doing over the past few days? “He’s been training in the right manner: he’s been very attentive and has displayed desire and determination. Sometimes, I try to be gentle with my players, but on other occasions I need to be harsh. However, this is because I want the player and team to do well and improve. Arturo knows me very well: he knows that if I don’t like something, I won’t just turn the other way.”

At what point is Vecino on the road to recovery? “Matias is working separately and is taking steps towards integration. I think it’ll take a bit of time. He’s part of the group, and he’ll be reintegrated as soon as he’s feeling fit.”