Antonio Conte claims Atalanta pressure can be good practice for Inter in future after the 2-0 win over Napoli. ‘I realise I bring high expectations, but not all I touch immediately turns to gold.’
The Nerazzurri kept their third consecutive clean sheet and consolidated second place ahead of the final showdown with Atalanta this weekend.
Danilo D’Ambrosio and Lautaro Martinez got the goals in each half, although Napoli kept possession for long periods at San Siro.
Antonio Conte claims Atalanta pressure can be good practice for Inter in future after the 2-0 win over Napoli. ‘I realise I bring high expectations, but not all I touch immediately turns to gold.’
The Nerazzurri kept their third consecutive clean sheet and consolidated second place ahead of the final showdown with Atalanta this weekend.
Danilo D’Ambrosio and Lautaro Martinez got the goals in each half, although Napoli kept possession for long periods at San Siro.
“We faced a strong team, a side who as I said beforehand have been the only ones in recent years to trouble Juventus and are full of excellent players,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
“Inter therefore deserve credit for the excellent performance and it was not easy after Atalanta had won at Parma, as we were in a certain sense forced to win our game.
“These are important situations, because being in front – even if it’s for second place and someone else won the Scudetto – we need to get used to feeling the pressure of teams pushing up behind us.
“We faced this match as a solid team and I am really happy for the lads.”
This result means even a point will be enough in Bergamo to ensure they keep hold of second place.
“The choice of the line-ups against Genoa and today was done with some calculations to ensure we’d have an extra day of rest for some players. We then have another four days and the Europa League.
“Atalanta have done great work over the last few years with Gian Piero Gasperini, growing season by season, bringing in players suited to the project who can change the game at any moment, in Serie A or the Champions League.
“It’ll be a good test for us to see where we stand right now and I think it’s an excellent match to end the Serie A season on.”
Conte had complained that second place was nothing to be celebrating, then changed his tune to look at the glass half-full, pointing out Inter haven’t won for a decade.
“The problem is that I can’t be the one describing the history of Inter. That’s what you journalists and pundits are for, to see the figures and explain the work that has been done.
“I also realise that my presence creates high expectations and that can affect the way some results are viewed. People might think that the moment I arrive, what I touch turns to gold. It happened in the past, but that doesn’t mean it always will.
“I believe I’m very honest when I speak and at times that can irritate people. I understand that attacking me brings notoriety to some who seek the spotlight and I hear things said about my work that offend my professionalism. I can make mistakes, but I will always have passion and try to accelerate situations I am called into.
“When people lie or try to frame things in a certain way, that is damaging to everyone.”
To end on a lighter note, Conte was shown the image that Chinese television used to advertise tonight’s Inter-Napoli game, of Lionel Messi lit up on the Duomo Cathedral in Milan.
Would he rather have just Messi or four players worth €50m each?
“I think both of those scenarios are pretty improbable! I am holding on tight to my players, as they are giving their all, I can guarantee that. It’d be easier to move the Duomo than to bring Messi to Inter.”