Antonio Conte again praised Borja Valero after Inter won 3-1 at Slavia Prague, noting how much the Lautaro Martinez-Romelu Lukaku partnership has grown.
Lautaro Martinez bagged a brace with Romelu Lukaku also on target, but above all they combined beautifully to create the goals.
Antonio Conte again praised Borja Valero after Inter won 3-1 at Slavia Prague, noting how much the Lautaro Martinez-Romelu Lukaku partnership has grown.
Lautaro Martinez bagged a brace with Romelu Lukaku also on target, but above all they combined beautifully to create the goals.
“They are improving together and I did say compared to the first meeting with Slavia Prague, we were much more of a team. I got angry after that 1-1 draw at San Siro, but this time we knew what to expect and were well-prepared,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“The strikers were decisive today and I am very happy for them. They fought it out physically with the Slavia players, which they had struggled to do last time.”
It was a midfield injury crisis, missing Nicolò Barella, Stefano Sensi, Kwadwo Asamoah and Alexis Sanchez.
“I praised Borja Valero and Federico Dimarco after the Torino game, as despite not getting much playing time in the first four months, they showed great passion for the shirt and professionalism in training. They never complained, always participated in everything we did.
“When you behave like that, you get your chance eventually. Borja Valero did well today and showed he was someone we can rely on.”
That victory means the Nerazzurri have their fate in their own hands going into the final game with Barcelona (who are already sure of first place) at San Siro.
Barcelona have 11 points, Inter and Borussia Dortmund 7, Slavia Prague are out with just two.
Inter have a superior head-to-head record with the Germans.
“I hope we can reach our next game against SPAL with the right determination, because there are other tests first before we play the Champions League. There’s SPAL and Roma first.
“The only way to stay alive and give a sense to the final fixture with Barcelona was to win today and we did it. Now it’s going to be a tough match, but we can count on 70,000 people who will push us on at San Siro.
“We’re pleased, as we wanted to be alive and kicking to the final game and that’s the situation. Our fate is in our hands.”