Juventus 'have dominated Italy for nine years, they are still the best' - Inter Boss Conte

Inter Milan Italian Manager Antonio Conte. Photo: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Antonio Conte has accepted that Inter ‘must look at Juventus’ if they want to challenge for the Scudetto next season.


The Nerazzurri have already secured a Champions League place but are all-but-certain to go a 10th year without winning Serie A, and Conte conceded Juve were still Italy’s ‘best’ team.

“I think [qualifying for the CL] is important for a side and club like Inter,” he told Inter TV before their match against Fiorentina tomorrow.

“Since the start of the season, we have been in the top four in the table. I think this is where a club with the prestige of Inter has to be.

“We have achieved that and with four games still to play. I think one of the demands of the club was to try and improve on last season.

“We wanted to try and be more consistent. The aim was to have a more stress-free finish compared to previous years. I think we have reached that objective.

“The league has certainly become more competitive if you look at the numbers of the other teams, who have improved in terms of quality.

“The league is becoming more and more difficult, so we must always try to improve with the fixed objective of the Champions League and, from next season, winning the Scudetto too.

“It’s right to look at Juventus, who have dominated Italy for nine years. They’re still the best now. We must look at the best if we want to improve, no doubt.”

Facing the Beneamata are a Fiorentina side in form, having preserved their top-flight status at the weekend.

“I think it was almost incredible to see Fiorentina in that position in the table. They have a squad full of excellent players.

“Fiorentina are a very good side. Their coach Beppe Iachini is doing a good job. They will have the pressure off, but when you face clubs like Inter, you find the motivation from within to give your all.

“They will be stress-free, but we have also achieved our goal of qualifying for the Champions League.

“I’ve seen there are players that need to recover and rest. I will therefore make changes also in light of our situation in the league table.”