Conte: “We are expecting a difficult but stimulating match”

APPIANO GENTILE – On the eve of the next league match for Inter, which sees us host Lazio tomorrow at 20:45 CET in a match valid for the 22nd matchday of the season. Ahead of the match, Antonio Conte answered the questions of the connected journalists at his press conference.

Before starting the press conference, I think it is right that I clarify the situation regarding the incident that took place in the Juventus stadium which had a lot of media coverage and it is right to clarify. I think that everyone has seen and heard the truth, the important thing for me is this. We are people, who can be footballers, coaches, directors, presidents, but we are role models, and we must remember this in all circumstances. I'm sorry and I'm here to apologize because I reacted in the wrong way to a provocation, to insults. I could have reacted in a nicer way, perhaps applauding to make it clear that I was listening to what was being said to me and that would have been more positive. I'm sorry and will learn a lesson for next time. It’s not an extenuating fact that I was responding to insults or a provocation because I could have responded in a different way, having said that we focus on the pitch and on playing football which is the most important thing.

What kind of game are you expecting from Lazio?

We are talking about a well-established team in our league, they are doing very well, they have a precise structure and identity, strong players who have quality and physicality and they are coming off of many consecutive victories. It will be an important match against a strong team, it will be a good test and we have to prepare ourselves because it will be a difficult game but at the same time very stimulating.

Lukaku is experiencing a drop in form, what happened?

We have to be intelligent and understand that in life you can make mistakes like everyone else. The important thing is that we realise and understand our roles. Romelu thinks about playing football. There are moments of ups and downs but Romelu knows that we need him because he is an important player, and he can count on the team and the Club.

How is Vidal? Is Barella following the path you imagined?

Vidal is unavailable for the match with Lazio, I’m not sure about the next game, we must wait until he is back to full fitness. Nicolò must continue working and continue doing well and realise that his fortunes depend on how the team is doing. He is growing and can be even better, just like the rest of his teammates, but we are a team, and we must think about the good of the team. Individual growth is important if we wish to achieve our goals.

There have been many goals chances squandered, in both good and bad performances. Is there any explanation?

It is a positive aspect that we create several goal scoring opportunities every match, we are the team that has scored the most. This is an important step for us because if we are able to convert more of the chances we create then we can avoid disappointments, but if you don't score you find yourself exiting competitions as happened in the Champions League and the Coppa Italia.

Is there a reason why this leap in quality is struggling to arrive?

What happened in the past does not concern me, I am talking about what is happening right now with me. In the year and a half of my working under my management I think that Inter have grown significantly, and have acquired credibility on European and national levels, we are not yet where we would like to be, but we are working hard and we can see progress.

Inter have never suffered in a match, even when they have not won. Has the team made the jump in quality in their head-to-head matches?

We must continue to grow, from all points of view, not only in terms of mentality but also by adding quality and improving the situation. Great strides have been made and I think our rivals have understood this and respect us, but the journey is not finished, we must continue our run and improve in all aspects to be where we want to be.

How is Vecino doing?

We hope that he will return to being an important player, he is a guy with many qualities: he is a raider, a midfielder who has good positioning, physicality, and running ability, and I count on him.

In the first two games of the season Inter conceded five goals, in the first two of the second half of the season they did not concede any. How did you fix the defence?

It is no coincidence. We started early in the year trying to be very aggressive and leave open field behind the defenders, which led to many positive aspects and some negative aspects, and some goals conceded. Now we have found a more balanced situation by trying to remain more compact and leaving less space, and this has brought more benefits on a defensive level without detracting from the offensive side of the team.

Have you ever wanted to be inside of Brozovic's head? Sometimes he is decisive, sometimes he gets nervous when he doesn't find much space and the other teams know it.

He is an exceptional and very nice guy; he is a bit of the darling of the team for his way of being. We work with him precisely in terms of finding space, the right position, to not get nervous if he does not touch the ball so much, the important thing is that he takes it in the right position because it must be decisive. He is a very generous lad, and like Nicolò has a lot of energy in his body, he runs a lot, what I ask is for them to optimize their runs so that they are in the right position to be more efficient and less tired, and he has improved a lot. We also looked for alternative solutions for when they heavily mark him, we work on it together, and he is a guy who has made important improvements both on and off the ball, he is a much more responsible, centred, and mature player.