Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni have what it takes to become Inter legends, according to a report in the Italian media.
The Nerazzurri have opened up a four-point lead at the top of Serie A and their defensive solidity has been crucial in the rise to the summit, with just one goal conceded in seven league games.
Gazzetta dello Sport’s online edition argued Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni have a good chance of going down in history as one of the club’s legendary back-lines.
“Those three have found the right mechanism and it’s impossible for Antonio Conte to do without them,” Francesco Sessa argued.
“It’s a defensive trio you can compare to the great defences in Inter’s history, from Gigi Simoni’s side to Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini’s teams.
“De Vrij has been the constant throughout Conte’s 18 months in charge while Bastoni is constantly improving.
“Skriniar has had ups and downs but is now in the greatest form of his career.”
Conte has picked the same back three for 16 of Inter’s last 17 league games, with the only exception coming against Benevento on January 30 when Andrea Ranocchia deputised for De Vrij.
Inter have conceded 24 goals in 24 league games now, with the report arguing Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni were on course to make history if they continued their current form.
During the 1997-98 season, Simoni’s Inter side conceded just 27 goals in 34 league games, the fewest of all teams in Serie A.
In the first season after the Calciopoli scandal, meanwhile, Mancini’s Inter let in 34 goals, the same amount as Jose Mourinho’s team during the treble-winning campaign.
Simoni’s Inter won the UEFA Cup, Mancini’s Serie A and Mourinho’s won everything possible.
Now it is down to Conte to guide Inter to a first league title since the Special One’s Scudetto in 2010, and it seems he has a rear-guard which is up to the challenge.
