“Alexis's injury leaves me without a fundamental element”

Antonio Conte, Inter Milan coach, highlighted this Sunday the weight of the absence due to injury of Chilean Alexis Sánchez for the semifinals of the Europa League on Monday against Shakhtar Donetsk and considered that he stayed “without a fundamental element”.

“For three-quarters of the season Sánchez has not been available due to injury and Now we are realizing what kind of weapon I lost. Not having this player, after he had returned to important levels, is something that I am very sorry, “Conte said in the press conference prior to the Düsseldorf meeting.

“I am left without a fundamental element either from the beginning or to enter the second half. The two forwards (the Belgian Romelu Lukaku and the Argentine Lautaro Martínez) will have to sacrifice themselves. Alexis would surely have helped us, “added the Italian coach.

Alexis injured his hamstring in his right thigh in the quarter-finals against Bayer Leverkusen And, in addition to not being in this Monday's duel against Shakhtar, it is very difficult for him to reach the eventual final on August 21 in Cologne.

Conte stated his deep respect for the work of the Shakhtar and he considered him the strongest team that has played him so far in the Europa League, in which he faced Ludogorets, Getafe and Leverkusen.

“Shakhtar are full of talent, they are good at always keeping the level very high. I remember when I played against Shakhtar in the Champions League with Juventus, there was strong players, they always had them and still have them. Congratulations, they manage to find very good talents, “he said.

“The Shakhtar will play with his characteristics, it will alternate high and low pressure. They have an identity, they have a high level in Europe and I think the great merit of (the Portuguese coach, Luis) Castro is convince many talented players to work for the team “, he continued.

He denied that he is afraid of the Ukrainian team and stressed that Inter is well prepared for the meeting.

“Fear is not part of my vocabulary and I do not want it to enter my computers either. We have a lot of respect for Shakhtar, we prepare very well. They are the best team that we played in this way in the Europa League. We will face you with respect, but wanting to show that we are here for a reason and we will give everything to go to the final, “he said.

If they beat Shakhtar, Inter, triple champions of the UEFA Cup / Europa League (1991, 1994 and 1998), would return to a European final ten years after the last time, which would be the first opportunity for Conte on a personal level. win an international trophy.

“If I won a European trophy I would be happy for the club, not for me. I don't think about enriching my record, but that of the club that hires me, “he said.

Conte was accompanied at the press conference by the Slovenian Samir Handanovic, captain of the team.

“To reach the end we have to make better matches compared to the ones we did so far, Shakhtar is the most difficult team we face in this Europa League. As quality is superior to others and we will need a better service “, answered the Slovenian meta to the only question he received.