Antonio Conte has confirmed his faith in teenage striker Sebastiano Esposito and his desire for an Inter side with “an Italian spirit”.
Esposito impressed during his cameo against Borussia Dortmund, despite being just 17 years of age, and the starlet is expected to be given a new contract by Inter this summer.
“In attack, we started out with very specific ideas,” Conte said at a Press conference.
Antonio Conte has confirmed his faith in teenage striker Sebastiano Esposito and his desire for an Inter side with “an Italian spirit”.
Esposito impressed during his cameo against Borussia Dortmund, despite being just 17 years of age, and the starlet is expected to be given a new contract by Inter this summer.
“In attack, we started out with very specific ideas,” Conte said at a Press conference.
“We knew we had three attackers with certain characteristics in Lukaku, Sanchez and Lautaro, while Politano has characteristics not exactly suited to a striker, but he’d already played as one at Sassuolo.
“I ask for certain movements from my forwards. Esposito was fifth choice, so from this point of view we were calm.
“Since then, Sanchez’s injury has been a considerable loss for us, but we’ve cleared Esposito, who’d already done well over the summer. I’ll make market assessments with the club.
“We still have one training session to go and we must make a virtue of necessity, like we did in the Champions League.
“We’re trying to regain our energy after playing just two days ago. The fans against Dortmund were crucial. I hope they can give us a hand again tomorrow.”
The Nerazzurri signed several Italians over the summer, including Nicolo Barella, Stefano Sensi and Cristiano Biraghi, while Antonio Candreva has been drafted back in…
“The club’s objective is to focus on strong and reliable players, first and foremost. After that, it’s inevitable that Italian players provide you with immediate guarantees.
“They know our way of working. Us Italians are much more picky, tactical and work in more detail than they do abroad.
“For this, it’s important that we have an Italian spirit. After that, for example, I consider Handanovic Italian!”
Looking ahead to his side’s Serie A match with Parma tomorrow, the Coach was then asked about other facets of his squad.
“Sensi can also play in front of the defence. I prefer him further forward because he sees football, he knows how to make the last pass and scores goals.
“But Stefano can play in front of the defence too. Borja Valero can also fulfil that role.
"De Vrij’s become an important player for us, a bit like Bonucci. I’ve always said that the three centre-backs are the first to build play.
“Even Godin made an assist against Udinese. These are situations that we must keep practicing. We must do them even more insistently.
“I gave Pogba his debut just two months in and he was 18 years old. For me, young players are an added value, but they must give guarantees – and Esposito and Bastoni do for me.”