Former Inter defender Massimo Paganin has praised Antonio Conte for creating a clear identity in his Nerazzurri side.
Inter produced arguably their best performance of Conte’s 18-month tenure on Sunday when they defeated Juventus in the Derby d’Italia, courtesy of goals from Arturo Vidal and Nicolo Barella.
Conte’s side are now seven points clear of the Bianconeri in the Serie A standings, albeit they remain second behind AC Milan.
“Inter have managed to find ideal solutions together with Conte,” Paganin remarked in an interview with Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb’s radio station TMW Radio today.
“Now Inter have a clear identity and Conte did well to change system.
“You need to have motivation as well, this team must be hungry and have the desire to win again.”
Inter’s surprise elimination from the Champions League in December, which saw them exit Europe altogether after finishing bottom of their group, is thought by many pundits to give the Nerazzurri an advantage for the remainder of the league season.
Paganin added his name to that list, arguing: “Not competing in European competition is an advantage as in the long run those games can take away some physical and mental strength.”
Paganin spent four years with Inter between 1993 and 1997.
During his time in Milan, the former Brescia player made 152 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored two goals and provided a single assist.
He was part of the Nerazzurri team which won the 1994 UEFA Cup title under interim coach Gianpiero Marini.
