The Nigerian wing-back, Victor Moses has encouraged the Nerazzurri not to be let down by Wednesday’s home loss.

Moses called on Inter Milan not to “lose heart” after they lost 1-0 to Napoli in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals at the San Siro.

The Nerazzurri came into the game on the back of a big 4-2 comeback Serie A win over city rivals AC Milan last Sunday, while Partenopei were beaten on their turf by Lecce.

Inter were, therefore, the favourites, but Fabian Ruiz’s 57th-minute strike was the difference in the Italian fashion capital.

“We spent a lot of Sunday in terms of physical and mental energies, but this cannot be an excuse,” Moses said after the match.

“We are very disappointed for this defeat, but we must not lose heart: we must win on the return.

Moses has featured four times in all competitions for Inter since moving on loan from Chelsea, with his initial loan at Fenerbahce cut short.

The 29-year old says his acclimatisation in Italy has been “easy” and rates Antonio Conte – whom he worked with at Chelsea, as one of the best in the world.

“It is important for me to put myself at the service of the team and my teammates,” Moses continued.

“He [Conte] is one of the best coaches in the world: he played football, he has a lot of passion.

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“I am very happy to work with him also here after the Chelsea experience.”

Inter will hope to reverse the deficit in the second leg which takes place on March 5 at the San Paolo.

They will be back on league duty this Sunday when they take a tricky trip to in-form Lazio, who are just one point behind them in third place.

Goal.com