This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
Inter Milan's title hopes took a severe blow on Sunday as they collapsed against Bologna, a defeat that has left coach Antonio Conte feeling exasperated and disappointed.
Speaking after the match, Conte took full responsibility for the team's collapse, saying, "There's a great, indeed enormous, disappointment."
Inter had been leading 10-man Bologna when they missed a crucial second-half penalty and conceded twice to go down 2-1 to late goals by Gambian pair Musa Juwara and Musa Barrow.
Conte's team had taken a first-half lead through Romelu Lukaku, but their failure to capitalize on the opportunity ultimately cost them the match.
"We managed to lose a match that we should have brought home comfortably," Conte said. "I'm angry with myself as the coach and responsible for what happens on the pitch."
He also acknowledged that the players had a small part to play in the team's collapse, saying, "The players must also be angry with themselves, although they only have a small part of the blame."
Inter's collapse has left them 11 points behind leaders Juventus with eight matches to play, a gap that may be too big to bridge.
Conte's frustration was evident as he spoke to the press, and some Italian media reports suggested that he was involved in a meeting with club directors.
"It's right to question all of us, first of all me because I was called to bring Inter back to victory after so many years," Conte said. "Of course, it won't happen overnight, but this situation brings a lot of bitterness."
He also hinted that changes may be on the horizon, saying, "We have not reached the standard we set ourselves. Everyone has to show they want to rise above the past years, otherwise it's right to make other decisions."
