Inter coach Antonio Conte said he hopes ‘no one’ believes Real Madrid and Borussia Mönchenglabach will agree to share the spoils on Wednesday. ‘We are talking about the Champions League, it’s not a bar competition’.
Inter need a winner at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Wednesday but it’s equally important the Nerazzurri win against Shakhtar Donetsk to advance in the Champions League.
Conte must cope without Arturo Vidal, but reports have claimed Nicolò Barella could miss out on the decisive game too.
Inter coach Antonio Conte said he hopes ‘no one’ believes Real Madrid and Borussia Mönchenglabach will agree to share the spoils on Wednesday. ‘We are talking about the Champions League, it’s not a bar competition’.
Inter need a winner at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Wednesday but it’s equally important the Nerazzurri win against Shakhtar Donetsk to advance in the Champions League.
Conte must cope without Arturo Vidal, but reports have claimed Nicolò Barella could miss out on the decisive game too.
“The situation is not the best in midfield,” Conte said at a press conference. “We will make some evaluations; I will try to make the best choices.
“Arturo is not available, risking him would mean extending the injury time and we can’t afford it. Without him, however, we won in Germany, so once again we will play as a great team.”
As a draw would see both Real Madrid and Gladbach through to the knockout stages of the competition, Conte was asked is he fears an agreement between the two rivals in Group B.
But the Beneamata coach replied ‘it’s not a bar competition’ and doesn’t want to hear such suggestions.
“The reality of the facts says we are forced to win against an excellent team, despite the absences,” Conte added. “However, if possible, we must get more excited.
“I remember we were dead last week and now, seeing a glimmer of light, we must think only about winning. For the rest, I’m not worried.
“We’re talking about the Champions League and big clubs, not bar competitions. I hope no one will ride this depressing story.
“In football, at this level, everyone plays to win. We are pursuing a path, we want to improve and there’s certainly a way and space to do it.”
Inter failed to score against the Ukrainians in the first leg’s goalless draw.
“It was a hard-fought match, they’re a very good team and have a very good coach,” Conte added.
“They have technique, speed and it’s not easy to face them. It’s our third game in a short time, we want to do well and we don’t have another path.
“On the other hand, they have two out of three results. We want tot try to win in every possible way.”
Conte stressed today’s ‘training session will be important’ for him to decide the starting line-up for the important match.
“Today’s training will be important, I will make assessments that will certainly be decisive,” he said. “There are important defections in midfield, but at the same time the difficulties must lift us and push us to overcome this obstacle.”