Conte skips presser in protest after Inter draw
Antonio Conte lamented Inter Milan's finishing after it missed a hatful of chances in a 2-2 draw with Parma on Sunday (AEDT), and before shunning the press over a decision that went against his side.
Despite taking 25 shots to their opponents' five across the 90 minutes at San Siro, the Nerazzurri needed a 92nd-minute equaliser from Ivan Perisic to claim a share of the spoils.
The Croatian joined compatriot Marcelo Brozovic on the scoresheet at the death, cancelling out Gervinho's second goal to clinch a point for Inter, which was without Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.
While Conte had no complaints over his players' effort, he was unhappy with the lack of cutting edge shown.
"It’s not the first game we dominated and yet almost lost. If you don't score goals in football, you don't win," he said on Italian television.
But he was so furious with a contentious VAR (video assistant referee) decision he skipped his post-match appointment with the waiting media.
Inter had a strong penalty appeal when Botond Balogh hauled down Perisic in the second half, and Conte skipped his press conference, apparently in protest at the decision.
"It is our duty also to protest at the refereeing decisions. This is our only venue for protesting, as we have no other way of making our voices heard," sporting director Beppe Marotta said on his behalf.
"We realise VAR only intervenes with a clear and obvious error, but today there was a clear and obvious penalty. So either the referee pays closer attention or VAR must be used.
"If VAR is only partially used, then that damages everyone and creates a sense of inequality. After six games, it is only right to make this comment."
