Former Inter central defender Andrea Mandorlini has admitted to being unsure of the impact Antonio Conte’s recent outburst has had but is convinced that Inter are continuing to do well despite the recent controversy.
“From Conte’s outburst, to their physical condition and their conviction, I think Inter are really well,” he explained in an interview with Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb’s radio station TMW Radio yesterday afternoon.
“How much the outburst may have influenced things I don’t know. We can see that the team is doing well.They have a style and ideas.
“Inter are having a positive moment. After so many years we have reached a European semi-final, everything points to the best but there is still a little way to go. Inter are a team that are growing.”
Mandorlini proceeded to speak on Inter striker Romelu Lukaku who has broken several records in his first season with the club in which he has scored 31 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions to date.
“He has tallied important numbers, at the beginning he was cumbersome but then the adaptation made him essential. Inter had a bad period and now they are at the top as a team and also with their leader. Inter cannot ignore him.”
In conclusion he was asked about the relationship between the Inter team and Conte given his recent outburst and whether he thinks that has had any sort of effect on the relationship.
“Conte had an important outburst and cemented his relationship with the team and it shows on the pitch.”
Mandorlini spent a seven year period with Inter between the years 1984 and 1991. During his time with the club, the current Padova manager made 275 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored a total of 13 goals.