Inter boss Antonio Conte has reminded Christian Eriksen that he no longer plays his football in England. ‘When I pick a player, I don’t look from the neck up.’
Inter beat Torino 3-1 on Monday night to end their run of back-to-back defeats, and Conte was delighted with how his team kept attacking their opponents, putting Samir Handanovic’s early blunder behind them.
Inter boss Antonio Conte has reminded Christian Eriksen that he no longer plays his football in England. ‘When I pick a player, I don’t look from the neck up.’
Inter beat Torino 3-1 on Monday night to end their run of back-to-back defeats, and Conte was delighted with how his team kept attacking their opponents, putting Samir Handanovic’s early blunder behind them.
“I honestly think we started the game very well,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“Then there was this corner kick. It was a period where there was an incident and we conceded a goal.
“I find it sensational that Samir messed up: he hardly makes mistakes. Overall, I think it was a game we dominated.
“The goal could’ve made us nervous and caused us problems, but we did well to score our goals.
“We’re much less predictable than we were before as now we attack with more men. The result must crown the effort we put in and when it doesn’t, it disappoints me.
“We’ve been punished excessively by certain incidents, but we’re on the right track: playing attacking football and overloading our opponents’ box.”
The coach’s position has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, and he was asked if he was still committed to the three-year project he had signed up to.
“I was called to Inter for a three-year project, to bring them back where they deserve to be.
“Inevitably, that takes time. I came here with so much enthusiasm. I have faith.
“I started a three-year project and [my contract] lasts three years. After that, if they want to extend my contract…
“I’m happy, I know there’s a long way to go, but I don't want to overstay my welcome.
“If everyone’s happy with the job I’m doing, and I think that’s the case right now, from what I’ve been told, then I don’t see why we shouldn’t go on.
“If they’re not happy with the job I’m doing then I won’t hesitate to step aside.”
Eriksen was cut from Inter’s starting XI against Torino, so is Conte happy with his form, six months into his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur?
“He has to hold down certain levels, but balance is needed. He’s improving and he’s aware that he joined an ambitious club that is asking a lot of him.
“Expectations are high in Italy. The bigger the name you are, the more people expect from you.
“I’ve worked in England and the situation there is more enjoyable, more peaceful. He’s committed and doing well, but I have to make decisions for the good of Inter.
“When I pick a player, I don’t look from the neck up. I want them to carry on like this. This team have great spirit. Sometimes they need to believe in their quality more.”