Inter manager Antonio Conte made it clear that he is well aware that his side will be in for a tricky test tomorrow when they play host to Atalanta during this afternoon’s pre-match press conference which he began by speaking on how it would feel to beat Atalanta.

“It would be important because we are talking about a strong team, who are the fittest in the league at the moment. They are doing very well and they are continuing to grow. They are much stronger than they were last year.

“It is demanding match for us as they are doing really well. Gasperini is doing a great job and the quality of their team continues to improve.

“Congratulations to Gian Piero, I know him personally and he does a lot of work. He is a real workhorse. Seeing Atalanta at these levels is beautiful and you have to congratulate them.”

Next he was asked what he is expecting.

“I expect a very intense, physical game, which will be played at a high intensity by both teams. For us it is a good test against a very difficult team to face.

“We must be happy with the path we are taking, we are also working a lot on intensity. We are preparing for this match, just like Atalanta are.”

Conte then spoke on the players he will have to do without.

“Skriniar and Barella are suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. As for Vecino, I would not rule him out, as I have already seen some people do.”
Things then shifted away from the match temporarily as he was asked who he prefers between Arturo Vidal and Christian Eriksen.

“I have already said that I don’t talk about the transfer market. I don’t want to be rude but I already said that from here to the end of the window only the club will speak.”

He was then reminded that by winning tomorrow, Inter would be the winter champions to which he responded: “Honestly it means very little. Having said that, we have to win tomorrow and it won’t be easy. We must try to play a great game and ask a lot of ourselves and try to go beyond our potential.

“It is a difficult match that will test us, but these challenges are welcome. After this match we will have faced everyone in the league then we can take stock of everything and see where we are, where we can improve and where we can get to.”

He then discussed the fact that tomorrow’s match will see the best defence (Inter’s) and best attack (Atalanta’s) in the league come face to face.

“We are the best defence and the third best attack, with one goal less than Lazio. The situation is different already. It always depends how you put it. In order to win games you have to score goals.

“Having said that, striking a balance is fundamental because there are teams who score a lot of goals but conceded just as many. The team that wins the league tends to have the best defence and if not the first, they have the second or third best attack.”

Next he was asked if it is possible for the gap with Juventus to be shut within his first year in charge.
“I always stick to the assessments I made at the beginning of the year. It may be the case that during the season there are vicissitudes that lead to not fully expressing the full value of the squad, but I remain with those.

“I said and I repeat that, apart from Inter, the others have added and not replaced. Usually when you do this the gap increases. Instead we are doing something positive, the new arrivals have integrated well, those who were already here are responsible.

“A good feeling has been created and we are making up for the initial gap by doing positive things. Great teams are made over time, nobody has a magic wand and dreams of arriving and changing everything overnight. I hope to have the patience and time to do this.”

He was then quizzed on the future of Diego Godin, whose recent omission from the line-up has led to speculation he could depart.

“The transfer window is always a special time but you have to be smart and understand that there is a lot of rumours. For us managers it is a difficult time but football is like this. We must try to work and not waste energy by taking in these rumours.”

In conclusion, he was asked at what stage he feels his team are aware of winning the title based on his previous title wins.

“During the year, especially in the second half of the season. It has always happened to me in the second half of the season when I won titles with Juventus, Chelsea, Siena and Bari.”

The post Inter Manager Conte: “Facing Atalanta Will Be A Good Test For Us, After It We Can Take Stock Of Where We Are” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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