Legendary former Inter midfielder Nicola Berti has revealed what he believes was the secret behind the success of Inter’s 1988/89 Serie A winning side.
“The secret of that Inter side? The five players who arrived from the transfer market,” he began an interview with Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, which appeared in today’s print edition of Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Me, Brehme, Matthaus, the great Ramon Diaz who, like me came from Florence, and Bianchi. The defence was already well established, then Trapattoni’s intuition to move Matteoli further back was right.”
Berti then went on to speak about current Inter central midfielder Nicolo Barella, a player he has never hidden his admiration of.
“We are alike in terms of height. I have always loved him, ever since he was at Cagliari, due to his way of playing. I would have been annoyed if Inter had not signed him.
“He’s improving. We both have the same initials, we are both universal, we can both play in many positions. I wish for him to score a few more goals and to overtake me.
“It’s difficult, however he can do it. Barella is on the right track, he already has the midfield in his hands.”
He then spoke on a similarity between the 1989/90 Inter side and this Inter side in that they were both eliminated from European football.
“For us it was a blow. Conte is now doing well and we hope he will continue like this until the end of the season. We have to give everyone a hard time.”
He was then asked about the similarities and differences between Trapattoni and Conte: “They have determination, temperament and a desire to win in common.
“Now the coach has more eyes thanks to his coaching staff, but as motivators they are very similar.”
Next Berti spoke on Inter’s Summer transfer window acquisition of Arturo Vidal.
“While Vidal, who has always scored in his career, has not yet scored at Inter, I consider him a champion.”
Berti, who spent a decade with Inter between 1988 and 1998, then shared what he believes is the best moment of Conte’s Inter.
“The first game of the season, the 4-3 win over Fiorentina. We did very badly, but we won. I saw the Pazza Inter again. Now the performance doesn’t matter, you need to score points.”
Berti then dismissed the idea that Conte’s treatment of Christian Eriksen can be compared to Giovanni Trapattoni’s treatment of Alessandro Altobelli.
“Bad example, Eriksen didn’t prove anything, we expected much more from him. He arrived in an unlucky season, one affected by Covid-19.
“Altobelli, on the other hand, is a legend. Returning to Eriksen, I saw him at Tottenham and he was decisive.”
Next Berti was asked whether he prefers the Aldo Serena and Ramon Diaz strike partnership in his Inter or Inter’s modern day strike partneship of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.
“Aldo scored 22 goals, he was top scorer, Ramon 13. I’m biased, the best parntership is Serena and Diaz.”
Berti then dismissed the comparison of Andreas Brehme and Achraf Hakimi: “Apart from the speed, there is no comparison because Brehme was technically on another level. Hakimi is on the right track.”
In conclusion Berti was asked whether Conte has to lead Inter to the Serie A title this season: “This year he has to win the Scudetto, there are few loopholes.
“The team is very strong, the club too. There are no fans but there is little we can do about that. It must be a good year, we must go back to winning.”
