Arturo Vidal has the chance to revive his ailing Inter career with a strong performance in Sunday’s Derby d’Italia against his former club Juventus, a report in Italy’s media suggested today.
Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition argued Antonio Conte has found his ideal midfield three in Vidal, Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolo Barella, the trio he is expected to pick for this weekend’s big match at San Siro.
Vidal has failed to live up to the hype which accompanied his arrival from Barcelona last summer, being publicly invited to show better commitment in training by Conte after he was substituted at half-time during Inter’s 6-2 win over Crotone a fortnight ago.
The Chilean finally scored his first goal for the Nerazzurri in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia victory at Fiorentina, but Sunday’s crunch match in Serie A will provide a better indication of whether his form is improving.
GdS also highlighted the importance of Brozovic and Barella’s performances to Inter’s hopes of securing the Serie A title this season.
Brozovic has gone from the brink of being sold to becoming an essential figure in Conte’s side, and part of Inter’s turnaround since November when Conte realised he needed a player like the Croatian international to play in front of his three-man defence.
Barella, meanwhile, was described as a sort of a clone of the player that Conte was during his own playing days, with Gazzetta praising his self-sacrifice, intensity, personality and leadership.
All that is required for Barella to become a complete clone of Conte is to score more goals.
