Legendary former AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi has praised Inter manager Antonio Conte for what he has done in his first season in charge of Inter.
Conte led Inter to a second place finish in Serie A as they finished one point off of champions Juventus, the Coppa Italia semi finals and he has also got the Nerazzurri to the Europa League final, which they will play in this Friday night against Spanish side Sevilla.
“Conte’s work can be seen, the final result was a rarity at these levels. The growth in the second half [against Shakhtar Donetsk] showed an attentive, motivated group with a more decisive pressure,” Sacchi began an interview with Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, which appeared in yesterday’s print edition of the Milan based news outlet.
“This was the real trump card that gave courage and allowed the counter attacks. Conte is doing an excellent job.
“Despite the 5-0 win, Antonio will have noticed that the team had further growth in particular in the possession phase and in their management of the game.
“Currently in the defensive phase there has been evident improvements when it comes to pressing, concentration and scoring. The Nerazzurri should be even more compact, short and narrow. Also it would be better to avoid defensive pile-ups especially near your area. This victory is a good calling card for the final. ”
Sacchi then went on to sing the praises of Inter strike force Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, who have combined for 54 goals between them this campaign and both scored braces in the win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
“Lukaku and Lautaro are today, perhaps, the strongest partnership in the world. They need to avoid doing the same movements. If one goes deep, the other must go towards his teammate with the ball. The two forwards also collaborate a lot in pressing as well. they helped their teammates, both the midfielders and the defenders.”
Sacchi concluded by discussing what Inter will need to do in their match against Sevilla at the RheinEnergieSTADION.
“Against Sevilla it will be a difficult match, an even more compact and organic team will be needed. The pressing will be decisive to make life difficult for the opponents and allow lethal counter attacks. Most of the foreign teams are better at attacking than defending.”