Inter Coach Antonio Conte: “We Were Close To Perfect, Hope Club Situation Resolved Soon” | OneFootball

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·17 January 2021

Inter Coach Antonio Conte: “We Were Close To Perfect, Hope Club Situation Resolved Soon”

Article image:Inter Coach Antonio Conte: “We Were Close To Perfect, Hope Club Situation Resolved Soon”

Antonio Conte felt Inter got “close to perfection” in the win over Juventus as he admitted that the situation with the ownership can’t be ignored.

The Nerazzurri put in a dominant display in the Derby d’Italia, taking a 2-0 win to move seven points clear of Andrea Pirlo’s side.


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The result also puts Inter level on points at the top of Serie A, at least until Milan take on Cagliari in Sardinia on Monday night.

Conte was the man who helped kick off Juve’s domestic dominance, winning the Scudetto unbeaten in 2011-12 and retaining it for the following two seasons.

The Bianconeri have won nine titles in a row but after a comprehensive defeat at San Siro the balance appears to be shifting.

However, Conte insists his side had to be at their very best to defeat Juventus as he praised the efforts of his players following a first Derby d’Italia win since 2016.

“To win against a team like Juve, who in Italy are an important yardstick, you have to get close to perfection,” he told Sky Sport Italia immediately after the game.

“Tonight we played a great match and the biggest satisfaction is that we saw some ways we could hurt Juve and, sure enough, they proved to be spot on.

“The lads did really well to put into practice what we’d worked on, I’m happy for them because these are the kind of games that give you confidence and let you know that you’re on the right path, one that is bearing important fruits.

“Juve are an important reference point for us, a team that has won for nine years.

“The gap between them and the rest still exists but there are many of us working to try and reduce it in every respect.

“Tonight I saw a credible Inter, and that’s the most satisfying thing after a year of work.

“I’m speaking both domestically and on a European level too, I’m disappointed about the Champions League elimination.

“It’s a monkey that will always be on our back because we could have done more; a goal was enough to go through.

“But the lads know that when you have a serious disappointment you need to improve so you don’t make the same mistakes.”

The match was played against the backdrop of a difficult situation for the club, with Suning looking to sell.

Players have not yet been paid their deferred wages from July and August, and Conte admitted that the situation cannot be ignored.

He said: “We can’t say it doesn’t affect us, that would be a big lie.

“At the same time, I was very clear with everyone who works with us: we think about our work, about trying to make our fans proud, trying to do our best.

“After that we’ll see.

“I hope that the situation will be resolved in the best possible way but I’ve known how it was since August.

“We’ve faced some problems, now we hope that everything goes in the best possible way.”

Both of the Nerazzurri’s goals came from midfield, with Nicolo Barella and Arturo Vidal scoring.

Does Conte feel his strikers missed the chance to get on the score sheet?

“Yes but only because of bad luck,” he insisted.

“Lautaro and Lukaku had several chances.

“We created a lot but we weren’t cool enough in front of goal and right now we need three or four chances to score.

“That said, we got a lot of players in scoring positions then maybe someone doesn’t see or doesn’t want to.

“These are games where you need to smell blood and kill your opponent, a bit like the Juventus players did last year.

“We’re only at the beginning of our journey though, we need to consecrate it.

“Of course I’m happy, I’ve never beaten Juventus as a Coach.”

However, Conte refused to say that the gap to his old team has closed despite opening up a seven point gap.

He insisted: “Cycles end if you aren’t good at rejuvenating yourself and that hasn’t happened to Juve, they’ve always strengthened over the years.

“They have a clear vision and competent people so we’ll have to see if the cycle is coming to an end – they’ve done something incredible in dominating for nine years.

“Having said that, in my opinion the gap remains and not only to Inter.

“But I repeat: we’re all working to close it.

“One swallow doesn’t make a summer but clearly winning against a team of great champions has to let you know you’re on the right path.

“If we’re favourites now, just imagine where we’d be if we’d done transfers in August!”

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