Inter coach Antonio Conte spoke to Italian media outlet InterTV following the Nerazzurri’s 2-0 win over AC Milan last night in the Milanese derby.

“Congratulations to the guys. I’m very happy with the intensity on the pitch, the pressure. Then, if I have to find a small problem, we lost some stupid balls that triggered their counterattacks. For all the rest, I’m happy. Also, for the fans: it’s a derby, a special game.”

“For me it was the first derby: there was a desire and I also felt this pressure to present myself in the right way with the fans.”

The 50-year-old Italian coach then discussed the Slavia Prague game earlier in the week and how it helped the squad prepare for the derby.

“I think that the game against Slavia, looking at the glass half full, has given us poison and today we put it on the pitch, in everything and for everything. The guys were good. These are games that must increase our self-esteem: only through work and this team spirit can we go far.”

“I haven’t slept for two nights, but let’s say that the setback against Slavia Prague gave us that extra boost to understand that it’s up to us to decide what path we want to have. This is important.”

Finally, Conte discussed the places the Nerazzurri can improve.

“If I have to find a small problem from today, I would say that we have lost 3-4 stupid balls that triggered the restarts of the opponents. I don’t think AC Milan have created situations that have made us worried. We took the risk and we need to be better at it.”

“We have to improve our self-esteem, in believing in who we are. Today there’s a group of good players with significant room for improvement: with work, everyone can become a top player. It’s up to them to make themselves available, just as they’re doing, and it’s up to me to improve them in every respect.”