Antonio Conte expects “much more” from Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, but is pleased Inter have “an idea of football in possession and out of it.”
The Nerazzurri dominated the Derby della Madonnina, hitting the woodwork three times and forcing some heroic Gianluigi Donnarumma saves, while Marcelo Brozovic’s deflected shot and a Romelu Lukaku header sealed the 2-0 scoreline.
Antonio Conte expects “much more” from Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, but is pleased Inter have “an idea of football in possession and out of it.”
The Nerazzurri dominated the Derby della Madonnina, hitting the woodwork three times and forcing some heroic Gianluigi Donnarumma saves, while Marcelo Brozovic’s deflected shot and a Romelu Lukaku header sealed the 2-0 scoreline.
It means Inter remain clear at the top of the table and maintain their 100 per cent record after four Serie A rounds.
“Let’s start by saying it’s a derby and those are always special games, never easy to predict, especially when both teams are so prestigious as Inter and Milan,” Conte told DAZN.
“The lads played a good game in every aspect. We were coming off a performance in the Champions League that left a bitter taste in the mouth and perhaps that fired us up even more to go into the derby in the right way.
“It’s a deserved victory, I am happy for our fans, because the derby is always the derby.”
Lukaku scored his third goal in four Serie A games and praised Conte in his post-match interview, but the Coach expects more.
“He can give much more, certainly. I told him that too. He is 26 years old and arrived here thanks to his potential. If we work with him properly, he can become extremely important.
“Lautaro Martinez is only 22 years old, so we need to help mould and improve these players with daily work. That’s my job and the important thing is that they are ready to work with me to improve themselves, which they are.
“I am happy with our Serie A start, less so in the Champions League, but I do also believe that setback can help bring us back on to the right path.”
There was also reportedly a disagreement at half-time in that Slavia Prague draw between Brozovic and Lukaku, who were both on target tonight.
“Brozo and Lukaku are lovely lads and if anything, I get cross with them because they are too nice. They need to be more clinical on the field and not so naïve. If clashes happen, that’s welcome, because it means there’s blood in the veins and fire in there.
“I’ve been a player, I’ve argued with teammates many times and then gone out to dinner with them afterwards. It’s not a big deal.”
Inter seemed to be at a much more advanced stage of planning compared to Milan and Conte explained why.
“We’ve worked hard over the last two months. Inevitably, there were a few difficulties, as some players arrived late and left late, but we have an idea of football when on the ball and when we don’t have possession. We have an idea as a team.
“As I say, a commander can have his plans, but he needs the foot soldiers to go out and execute the orders, so I am fortunate to have very good and disciplined players.”