Arturo Vidal was annoyed for two reasons when Antonio Conte took him off during Inter’s Coppa Italia defeat to Juventus last night, according to an Italian newspaper report today.
As per Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition, Vidal was angry to be taken off while the Nerazzurri were still losing in their semi-final first leg clash, but also because there is a developing trend of him being substituted near the end of games.
Vidal was replaced by Christian Eriksen in the 73rd minute at San Siro, making it the 14th time in 19 starts this season that the Chilean international has been subbed off by Conte.
As he sat down behind Conte on the bench, the former Barcelona and Juventus player was heard to say: ‘It’s always number 22 [who is taken off].’
The report from the Milan-based publication suggested it was worth bearing in mind that Inter will be back in action in Serie A on Friday, when they take on Fiorentina away from home.
Conte was likely trying to preserve Vidal ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
