Inter coach Antonio Conte insisted he trusts his players to put the defeat to Bologna behind them with a great performance in Verona on Thursday.
Conte’s men suffered their first defeat since the resumption last weekend, but the 50-year-old has claimed the tight schedule forces them to move on immediately and helps them avoid dwelling on the 2-1 loss on Sunday.
Inter coach Antonio Conte insisted he trusts his players to put the defeat to Bologna behind them with a great performance in Verona on Thursday.
Conte’s men suffered their first defeat since the resumption last weekend, but the 50-year-old has claimed the tight schedule forces them to move on immediately and helps them avoid dwelling on the 2-1 loss on Sunday.
“Let’s leave the defeat against Bologna behind us and prepare for the match against Verona,” Conte told Inter TV. “In these cases, it’s better that the next match is so close in time.
“Surely, there will be some bitterness and disappointment, but at the same time you must focus on the next game, in this case an important game against a very good team like Verona.
“We prepare as we always do, studying the opponents. We look at the positive and the less positive things, where we must do well and where we must pay more attention.
“It’s important that all players know what type of game we are going to play.”
The Nerazzurri tactician has claimed he will be forced to make a host of changes ahead of the game against the Gialloblu.
“[Milan] Skriniar is back, [Danilo] D’Ambrosio and [Alessandro] Bastoni are out, plus the injuries. It’s the same problem all teams are facing, playing in these high temperatures in a tight programme with three points at stake.
“It’s inevitable that injuries are part of the price you pay. Sometimes you decide to not risk anything because there’s the fear to lose the player for many games, but I trust all my players completely.
“Therefore, I have the possibility to give all of them a chance, knowing it will be well rewarded in performance, attitude, desire and determination.”
Conte claimed Inter are getting used to playing late at night and are prepared to face the difficult situation hands on.
“We are getting used to these variables [of playing at 21:45 local time], it’s not the first time and will not be the last, we are adapting to the situation.
“It’s inevitable that when you play so late, especially away from home and return late at night, there’s not much time to rest and recover.
“But we know we must face these kinds of situations and we try to do it in the best possible way, also because all the teams have to do it.”
Verona sit eight in Serie A, six points behind Roma and Napoli in the battle for a place in the Europa League, and Conte expects a tough trip to the Bentegodi.
“They’re having an excellent championship, one of the surprises this season. The coach is good and well prepared, they have good and very interesting players in their squad and play a formation that also enhances their physical strength.
“We should be prepared and must do well to respond to every blow, in every way; technically, tactically and physically.”
Valerio Verre gave Verona the lead at San Siro in the reverse fixture this campaign, before Matias Vecino and Nicolò Barella turned the game for the Nerazzurri.
“I remember the first leg very well, we went down and reacted in an excellent way. We played a great match, had many shots on target and won thanks to Barella’s goal.
“The first leg also proves that we are going to face a very good team and should pay attention. At the same time, we want to get a result.”
Inter have picked up 32 points on the road this term and Conte says the ‘mentality’ of his players shouldn’t depend on where the matches are taking place.
“What we are trying to do, the mentality we want to create is to not think about playing at home or away. There’s always the desire to play and win the game regardless of playing in our own or the opponent’s stadium.
“That’s important for a team that has a mentality and wants to be proactive in the game. It doesn’t matter where you play.”