Inter produced their best performance of Antonio Conte’s tenure as head coach to beat Juventus in last night’s Derby d’Italia, according to Italian football writer Luigi Garlando.
The Nerazzurri breezed past their arch rivals in comfortable fashion at San Siro, running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from central midfielders Arturo Vidal and Nicolo Barella.
Conte’s side are now seven points clear of the Bianconeri in Serie A, having their arch rivals for the first time since Frank de Boer oversaw a 2-1 win in September 2016.
“My first reaction after last night’s game was one of shock because Juventus, who have won the last nine titles, were demolished by the best Inter performance of the season, an they could have scored more beyond the goals of Vidal and Barella,” Garlando explained in his editorial for Gazzetta dello Sport, which appeared in Monday’s print edition.
“The way in which the reigning Italian champions accepted defeat was especially surprising, they did it almost without a fight and with a worrying tactical fragility, well demonstrated by the second goal conceded where a long ball from Alessandro Bastoni cut out the whole team.”
Garlando then addressed Conte’s comments during his pre-match press conference, when the Inter boss had heaped praise upon Juventus and told reporters the his former club were still the reference point for any team aspiring to win the Serie A title.
“Perhaps Conte, on the eve of the match, was trying to draw a reaction of pride out of his players by saying Juventus were still a long way ahead of them.
“The next day, Inter defeated Juve, something they had not been able to do since 2016, they have joined AC Milan in the lead and are seven points ahead of the Bianconeri.”
Garlando then went on to sing the praises of some of the players who performed well as Inter got back to winning ways in the league, following a 2-2 draw versus Roma in the previous league fixture.
“Perhaps it was Conte’s best ever Inter display.
“He scored through the two players who most closely resemble him in Vidal and Barella, while Romelu Lukaku and Bastoni, his best tactical creatures, shone.”
In conclusion, Garlando stated what he believes Conte now has to do and expressed his view on what the win over Juventus means for Inter.
“Now Conte has to work to give consistency and be more competitive against teams who shut up shop and do not give up spaces on the field.
“It can no longer be hidden.
“With this squad and without European football, Inter are an obligatory candidate for the title.”
