Inter Coach Antonio Conte paid tribute to Nicolo Barella after his star turn against Juventus, calling it the best performance since he took over.

The Nerazzurri beat the defending champions 2-0 to establish a seven point lead and go level with Milan at the top of the table.

It was their first win in the Derby d’Italia since 2016, with Arturo Vidal scoring against his former club for his first Serie A goal for Inter.

The win leaves Inter in a strong position to win the Scudetto for the first time since 2010, even if Milan and Juve have games still to play.

Speaking after the match the former Italy boss played up the importance of the result and underlined that beating the Bianconeri is what his players must aspire to.

Conte said in his post-match press conference: “It was definitely an important win.

“I said before the game that playing Juventus is the yardstick for everyone.

When you win a match against Juve it means you’ve played an almost perfect match.

“I’m very happy because the lads played the game very well, so above all I’m happy for them.

“Vidal? Arturo is a player who brings experience, personality and quality.

“He also brings goals.

“He took a while to rev up, he’s had some ups and downs but he’s also played some very good matches.

“Now he’s starting to get into a good psychological and physical condition.

“I hope he can shake off the problem he’s had since the Roma match, I’m really happy for him because he needed a performance like this.”

Conte also had words of praise for midfielder Nicola Barella, who scored the second goal of the match and put in a fine performance.

He said: “Nicolo played a very good match, he did what I asked him.

“Other times I had asked him to turn this task and he was very good today.

“He was really very incisive.

“Many times he wastes energy due to excess of generosity or loses balls, today I think he had the best game since I’ve been here.

“He was perfect in every respect, in his quality of play and use of the ball.

“He was very good, as were the others.

“It is certainly an important victory because it was obtained against Juventus.

“We have great respect for a team that has dominated for nine years in Italy.

“I had asked for a test of maturity, I had asked to star tasting blood on a sporting level.

“In these games you play for the three points but also much more.

“We were good tonight but we must continue like this.

“One swallow does not make a summer, head down and pedal “.