Inter coach Antonio Conte was on the receiving end of a stinging attack on social media from journalist Paolo Ziliani, after his press conference ahead of the Derby d’Italia against Juventus.

The Nerazzurri coach suggested that whilst Inter had gone some way towards closing the gap on Juventus, they were not at the same level and needed to continue growing.

This prompted a furious response from Ziliani, who accused Conte of living in Juventus’ shadow and suggesting that the Bianconeri to be out of reach and at a level that was unattainable.

It came as Conte spoke of the challenge to displace Juventus at the summit of Serie A, despite Inter currently sitting four points clear of them in the table.

With Conte set to face his former club at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday, Ziliani took to Twitter to post a scathing response to Conte’s press conference, sarcastically claiming that Inter required a coach who was still looking up to Juventus and ready to sing their praises at any opportunity.

Ziliani Tweet stated: “We lacked an Inter coach who, on the eve of the match against Juventus, sang the praises of the inimitable, incomparable, unattainable Juventus. A model for all to imitate, the club that jealously guards it’s secret to domination on and off the pitch. Thanks, Antonio Conte.”