Antonio Conte has three players in particular to thank for Inter going top of Serie A on Sunday, according to an Italian media report today.
The Nerazzurri overtook AC Milan for the first time this season after beating Lazio 3-1 at San Siro, 24 hours after the Rossoneri lost at Spezia.
Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition highlighted three key factors to Inter’s victory over the Biancocelesti, each of which focused on one player.
‘The Secret’, as they dubbed it, is that Inter have the best goal difference in Serie A, and that is thanks in no small part to Milan Skriniar’s exceptional performances of late, with the Slovak again producing his best against Simone Inzaghi’s side.
Inter have conceded just one goal in their last five league games, and that was only via a deflected free-kick on Sunday, something for which the Milanese publication also credited Samir Handanovic and his upturn in form.
Gazzetta then discussed ‘The Variation’, which refers to the new tactical solutions Inter get from playing Christian Eriksen in midfield.
Eriksen finally appears to have worked out how to get involved in the game and can now represent an alternative to Arturo Vidal, who interprets the same ‘mezzala’ position in a very different style.
By playing the Dane, Inter do not have to be dependent on crosses and while Eriksen can decide games from set-pieces, as he did in the recent Milan Derby, he can above all serve Romelu Lukaku quickly.
Gazzetta’s third talking point was ‘The Surprise’, and that is Ivan Perisic after his excellent display against Lazio at left wing-back.
Perisic initially struggled to get to grips with the new role but now appears to be a natural, thanks to his self-critical approach and willingness to improve.
In Perisic and Achraf Hakimi, Conte now has two wing-backs who can get to the by-line and cross without unbalancing the team.
