Inter Milan midfielder Nicolò Barella paid tribute to coach Antonio Conte after their Europa League semifinal rout of Shakhtar Donetsk.

Romelu Lukaku struck twice, as did Lautaro Martinez, while Danilo D'Ambrosio completed the rout.

Barella said, “This is the start of a new era for us, so it wasn't easy to be on fine form from the very start. I had to make mistakes and learn from them. When you play with top players and a great coach, it becomes easier to develop.

“Conte has improved my mentality, the way I play. I use my mind a lot more now. I am also stronger when going forward. I was more instinctive before, but working with great champions like Christian Eriksen, Stefano Sensi, they really taught me to focus and think before I act.

“With regards to bookings, I still need to improve a lot, but I have been working on that with the coach. Maybe referees just book me now out of habit!"