Inter’s charge towards the Scudetto was galvanised by a fateful meeting between the club’s hierarchy and coach Antonio Conte last summer, Italian media claim.
The Nerazzurri currently sit six points clear of AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table and are unbeaten in nine league games, as they target a first title since 2010.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the successful campaign was borne out of a meeting between Conte and senior figures at the club on August 25 at Villa Bellini, in which the two parties put aside differences to build a platform for the season.
It resulted in Conte being willing to continue in his role and honour his contract, running until 2022, whilst Inter have worked through financial difficulties to begin a round of contract renewals with key players to support the coach.
Striker Lautaro Martinez and midfielder Nicolo Barella are amongst the figures expected to be offered new deals, whilst Nerazzurri directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio are keen to support Conte in bolstering a team ready to compete in the long term.
Meanwhile, Inter’s early exit from the Champions League at the Group Stage in December is believed to be another motivational factor in Conte’s desire to continue, with the coach keen to make amends and challenge on the continental stage.
Finally, Conte’s and Marotta’s respective pasts at Juventus have worked as a form of motivation, with the pair determined to end the Bianconeri’s cycle of dominance in Serie A after nine consecutive league titles.
It goes beyond a desire to get revenge over their former club, but instead to build their own period of success in a similar fashion to Juventus.
