Antonio Conte praised Juventus” data-scaytid=”2″>Juventus for their “attacking mentality” against Inter and explained how Daniel Osvaldo will help.
Antonio Conte praised Juventus for their “attacking mentality” against Inter and explained how Daniel Osvaldo will help.
Stephan Lichtsteiner, Arturo Vidal and Giorgio Chiellini were on target in a 3-1 Derby d’Italia victory this evening.
“We won. That’s good. We prepared this game in every minute detail, including how they might mark Andrea Pirlo or not mark him by bringing Mateo Kovacic and Ricky Alvarez on him in turns,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
“We played well and it’s just a shame we conceded that goal which created a bit of anxiety. People ask why I continue waving my arms like crazy on the touchline, it’s because I know it just takes one moment of fortune to score and the game is open again when the tension sets in.
“We are the top scorers in Serie A, but could’ve had more goals tonight. Samir Handanovic did very well on several occasions and we weren’t as accurate as we could’ve been, but I was more interested in the performance and I’m happy with that.”
Sky pundit Gianluca Vialli joked that Vidal, Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio score so many goals because Conte can teach them the tricks of the trade.
“As a player I did like this role and going forward to replace the striker. That attacking bent was always in my mentality as a player and now as a Coach, as I always wanted to take the initiative. I say it’s better to lose a game by attacking – as we could’ve done at Lazio” data-scaytid=”23″>Lazio last week – than to draw while sitting behind the ball.
“As a player I won five Scudetti, the Champions League and everything there was to win, so I can only wish they follow me and do even better.
“It’s rare we go on the counter-attack, as we don’t have players with those characteristics. We study our opponents and how to limit their strengths, but still maintain our own strong points.
“When attacking, our wingers go on the same level as the strikers. A 3-5-2 is variable and all down to the interpretation. There are others who use this system in a more defensive way and to go on the counter, but that’s not our style.”
Osvaldo was signed on deadline day from Southampton, arriving on a free loan with option to buy for €19m.
“Osvaldo was an opportunity that we took, as the striker desperately wanted Juventus and cut so much off his wages. We are happy to have a player who improves our quality in attack, as we have Serie A and the Europa League to challenge for.
“There were some very well-defined hierarchies and some others who had been here a long time and perhaps needed a little competition to renew their enthusiasm. It was positive to know players wanted Juve so much that they’d reduce their wages to help it happen.”
Fredy Guarin was about to arrive at Juve in exchange for Mirko Vucinic, but Inter pulled the plug.
“Guarin was an opportunity too that had been created between the clubs. I didn’t make any specific requests, but if the opportunities arise on the market then we’d take them. It all stopped and we’re happy as we are now.”