Noted Italian football journalist Mario Sconcerti has shared his belief that Inter manager Antonio Conte has his Inter side too organised and this is why the team struggle, especially in big matches.
“Conte should rethink things. He built an excellent team but that is not enough. If we are looking for something that will make Inter grow, we must necessarily cross examine his work,” he began an interview with Italian news outlet CalcioMercato.com, a few days on from Inter crashing out of the Coppa Italia.
“Does he have good players? I think so. We spent months illustrating the talents of Lukaku, Lautaro, Barella, Sensi, Eriksen, De Vrij, Skriniar, Handanovic, Brozovic. It is difficult to think about how to improve in this regard. Credit must be given to Marotta, Ausilio and Conte.”
Sconcerti then went on to share why he thinks the Nerazzurri struggle.
“What is the limit of the team? Why does Inter lose every time they come up against a strong opponent? I believe there is too much Conte in this team, too many orders, too many fixed patterns, too much militarisation.
“Tactical discipline applies if it becomes an organisation and organisation applies if it improves the qualities of individuals.”
Sconcerti concluded the interview by reiterating his belief that Inter have quality players in their side and suggested that Conte should take a step back.
“At Inter it’s time to slow down, the instinct for individual football is almost completely stifled. There is no freedom. For fear of free interpretation, commandments are preferred and it suffocates everything. Inter have excellent players but are missing individuality. Conte should try and take a step back.”
Conte took charge of Inter this past Summer and has almost exclusively played a 3-5-2 system throughout the campaign although he did deploy the team in a 3-4-1-2 this past weekend, a system which definitely got more out of January transfer window recruit Christian Eriksen.
Conte has managed Inter in 38 games across all competitions to date. He has won 22 of them, lost seven and drawn the remaining nine fixtures.
