Conte: "The boys ought to be praised. We're up there despite the difficulties"

MILAN - Lautaro Martinez’s early goal wasn’t enough to beat Atalanta for Antonio Conte’s Inter side, who had to settle for a draw on matchday 19 in Serie A. This is what the Inter Coach had to say after the game: “We came into this match without four players, something which is highly significant for us at the moment. We were up against a team whose strengths are the intensity and physicality with which they play. They are a good side and have a complete squad, one which has been constructed over the course of the past few years. This makes the journey we’ve been on up to now even more extraordinary. Last season, Atalanta finished ahead of us in the league, now we’re eleven points ahead of them. We have to be realistic, knowing that we need to continue working hard to keep on growing.

“I have exceptional lads at my disposal, my only hope is to not have players missing because it becomes complicated when this is the case. Today, for example, Barella was suspended and Vecino injured, we were really short on numbers. I’m happy that Sensi is back fit, he did well for 70 minutes and will slowly return to being the player he was at the start of the season. We are also trying to get Sanchez back to his best up front. It’s not easy, the table papers over this situation somewhat and the only hope I can possibly have is that no emergencies come about. We don’t have a lot of cover, but the lads are giving everything and need to be praised for what they’re doing. I would have taken four points from the Napoli and Atalanta games given the situation we find ourselves in, we’re right in the mix and want to carry on going down this path.”