Conte: "A great team performance will be required"

APPIANO GENTILE – In order to continue their Coppa Italia run, Inter will have to overcome Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan side in the quarter-finals. As the Nerazzurri prepare to host the Rossoneri at 20:45 CET on Tuesday 26 January, Antonio Conte spoke to Rai Sport on the eve of the clash. This is what he had to say:

The upcoming match and Pioli’s AC Milan side: “From a psychological point of view, a place in the next round is at stake, and I think that this is the most important thing in a competition like the Coppa Italia, which we have the utmost respect for. We’ll need to produce a great team performance. While Ibrahimovic is important for AC Milan, they’re not only about him: they’re a team made up of strong and technically gifted players who are doing important things.”

From the league fixture to a Coppa Italia clash: “Earlier on in the season, we found ourselves 2-0 down before we scored. After that, we had several chances to draw level. Not just tomorrow but in general too, I think that we need to be much more clinical and determined, especially when it comes to our final ball and shooting at goal. This is what will be important: being determined and decisive when we get into goalscoring situations.”

Lautaro and Lukaku: “I’m happy with their involvement and the selflessness they display during our matches. Strikers can go through spells where they’re more or less fortunate. The important thing is that they always get involved and show a spirit of sacrifice, and they always do these things.”