Conte: "An uphill struggle from the start, we still need to grow to reach Real's level"

MILAN – After showing some positive signs in Madrid, Inter weren’t able to build on that performance this evening: on matchday four of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League, Real ran out 2-0 winners at San Siro. Prior to analysing the game, Antonio Conte spoke about the passing of Diego Armando Maradona:

“We’re all extremely upset, Maradona made footballing history. What he did was pure poetry. I’m struggling to deal with the fact that he’s no longer here, also because he was very young. I’m heartbroken and deeply saddened by his passing.”

What are your thoughts on the game? Have Inter made a step backwards? "It’s already difficult enough playing sides like Real Madrid, and we haven’t had a lot of luck during the two matches. If you immediately concede and then go down to ten men, it only becomes more complicated. Unfortunately, I think we saw the difference between them and us. However, it shouldn’t knock us down, and we need to respond with humility as we look to go down our path. The teams are at different levels and we need to grow in every respect. They’ve won the Champions League on several occasions, while we’re emerging on this stage again. We mustn’t let ourselves be swayed by outside voices. We need to work to bridge the gap and return to be being protagonists.”

Inter improved after they went down to ten men. Could a change in formation have happened earlier?“It was an uphill battle from the get-go: we went behind and it was then difficult to get back into it, also because Vidal was sent off, something which knocked the wind out of us. Despite everything, the lads worked hard against a great side. This is the situation, but we certainly did better in the first match against them, when we were more aggressive.”