The Nerazzuri’s coach was pleased with his new signing who was forced into action from the start despite only being with the club for five days. Antonio Conte insisted that he was pleased with Christian Eriksen’s performance despite substituting the midfielder early in the second half of Inter’s 2-0 win at Udinese.
Following his arrival from Tottenham, Eriksen came off the bench from the midweek Coppa Italia tie against Fiorentina, substituting Alexis Sanchez.
The Denmark international was handed the opportunity to start for the first time in Serie A on Sunday, recording 51 touches and completing 78 percent of his tried passes before he was replaced in the 58th minute.
It was 0-0 at the time of the change but Inter went on to collect all three points thanks to a Romelu Lukaku brace, taking the Belgian’s tally in Serie A this year to 16 goals.
Conte, who watched his team to end a run of three consecutive league draws, called for patience with Eriksen, despite expressing his satisfaction with the 27-year-old’s efforts during his time on the pitch.
“I think that for someone who arrived five days ago, and we should not forget we had to rush him in because we were missing several midfielders, Eriksen nevertheless made a positive effect,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
“Obviously, he wants to get settled into our type of soccer and also find the ideal exercise levels for Serie A, but I am quite pleased with his whole debut.
“He will get to learn the positioning we ask of our midfielders, but these are early days and I am happy.”
After opening the scoring with a left-footed shot in the 64th minute, Lukaku converted from the penalty spot following a foul on substitute Sanchez.
The result sees Inter move above Lazio into the second position in the table, three points behind leaders Juventus, before next weekend’s Milan derby in San Siro.
“The match against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia gave us a boost,” Lukaku told Sky Sport Italia. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy here in Udinese, but in the second half, we did well.
“We managed to score two goals and get all three points. It’s a significant victory on the journey.”
