antonio conte happy
What did you make of the team’s performance?
I think the performance was good, particularly in the first half when we controlled the game in every aspect. We had some chances to score. We were not so nasty in the way to score. When you have a chance like this, you have to kill the game. The game was under control but then in second half we struggled a bit at the start but after 10 minutes we adapted to the situation and we controlled the game. We had another chance with Sonny that hit the bar. After that I think they had some intensity in the game, winning some offensive duels and that create a situation where we struggle a bit and the game changed, but they found a way to score and we didn’t. This is the history of the game.
Wolves looked fresher in the second half, were you not tempted to match them with more earlier substitutions?
No, the team needed only five minutes to adapt. We were playing well, and the pace and we controlled the game. There wasn’t reason to change. After we change because there was a reason to change because we needed more energy and to interrupt their pace in the game, but only one detail changed the story of the game.
At Leicester you questioned the mentality of the players, is that still the case?
Today we showed a great mentality because we came here in a situation against a team that is similar to Leicester, a great team with a good squad and we control the game for 60 minutes. We play different if you compare the game in Leicester to the game today. I think the mentality today was good. It is a lesson we have to learn because when you start the game and you control the game, you have to kill the game. This is a lesson we have to learn today.
One small positive is that Pedro Porro seems to be adapting to what you want, what did you make of his performance?
Pedro Porro played a good game like all the team. We know Pedro Porro is this type of player. We need to help him to adapt himself to a new league but today he was important for us. The only thing is be ready, nasty and aggressive in the way you have to kill the game.
How do you make players aggressive and nastier in that way?
They have to find this solution during every game but today was not the lucky day that you shot on target the first and you score. We needed maybe more chances but when you have five, you need to score one.
Antonio Conte returns tomorrow, how much of a lift will it be for the squad?
Antonio will be a massive boost for us from tomorrow until the end of the season. It is important that Antonio is back. We want to have him back with a different result but the team show to Antonio it is alive. They want to win, they want to control the game, they want to dominate the game and this is important I think.
