Conte: “I was very close to Madrid, but it wasn't the time”

Antonio Conte gave the press conference prior to his clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Italian coach admitted that he was on the verge of coaching the Whites. These are your impressions.

How is Alexis Sánchez?

Today he returned to train for the first time with us. So…

How can you be more effective when attacking?

If I had an answer to that question, I would be a magician. We must continue training, it is not a problem only for the forwards. Last year we scored 116 goals, in this year we created many chances, but we could achieve much more.

Zidane said that tomorrow's game is a final.

You have to look for points in each game, sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. Tomorrow we face a great team, built to win this competition, as its history shows. In his squad there are players who have triumphed in the Champions League several times, it will not be easy. If we know how to suffer, we can achieve our satisfactions. We will not put ourselves in a corner receiving punches, we will face them with humility, but without fear.

Would you like to coach Real Madrid in the future?

Right now I am focused on Inter, I started a project that I am very excited about, with a very strong club. We are creating something important. In the past I had the opportunity to be the coach of Real Madrid, maybe it was not the moment, but I am grateful for the opportunity that they offered me.

How close was he to being the Whites' coach?

There were a couple of moments when I was very close, but the season had already started and it would have been difficult to enter the project like that. I sincerely preferred to postpone that adventure.

What do I remember and what is your relationship with Zidane?

I have an exceptional memory, beyond his capabilities in the field, I would like to remember what he is like as a man. A Unique Guy – Usually a talented gamer, when it comes to work, he hides. At that time the coach was Lippi and they worked a lot at Juve, and he was always among the first, always with a smile. I am very happy with what he has gained as a coach, I understood that he wanted to be when he came to Turin once and started asking me questions about the profession.