Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera believes that the current Inter squad under Antonio Conte have the same spirit and mentality as Jose Mourinho’s treble winning side of 2010.
The Nerazzurri sit six points clear at the top of Serie A ahead of tomorrow’s match against Atalanta, as they seek a first Scudetto since Mourinho won the title 11 years ago.
In an interview published in yesterday’s newspaper edition of Il Foglio, Tronchetti Provera compared Conte’s squad with that of Mourinho’s, and was full of praise for the incumbent.
“I expected the results to come because the team is good and the coach is a man of success who has won everywhere, from Juventus to the Italian national team to England [with Chelsea],” Tronchetti Provera claimed.
“I was struck by the development of some players who have gone beyond expectations. Although I knew he was very good, I did not expect so much from Romelu Lukaku.
“He is amazing in the clever use of his power not only in driving forward but how he can link with his teammates. He is an extraordinary player who has grown a lot, but Ronaldo will always have a special place in the hearts of us Inter fans.
“I am also thinking of Nicolo Barella or Alessandro Bastoni. Christian Eriksen is also back in form. Conte was good at finding the right motivation and the right set-up to express good football.
“I was struck by Ivan Perisic recently, and seeing the team continue to push in the 90th minute when leading.
“It has the spirit of that treble winning team. They are the characteristics of a successful team, capable of maintaining the same levels for 90 minutes.
“Mourinho was something special for those moments of passion. He arrived at an Inter team already set up to win. He was 100% Inter and we saw him suffer with the team and also experience the joys.
“Conte is a capable professional and we will see that his winning path is yet to begin. At the moment, Mourinho’s record at Inter is better.”
With Inter currently leading the Serie A table, Tronchetti Provera admitted he was enjoying the spectacle but missed the opportunity to attend the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“For a football lover, not going to the stadium is painful, as is seeing the league continue in empty grounds. There are moments when sport offers great satisfaction. Inter at the moment are playing good football, with strong players on the pitch. We are having fun.
“When we were knocked out of Europe I was sure Conte would react with a surge out of pride. You can see his reaction at the time, of a man who was suffering and had to do something. There were only two options, to quit or to win.”
Pirelli appear set to end their iconic sponsorship of Inter’s kits after a 27-year partnership, but Tronchetti Provera insisted that even with a parting of ways the tyre manufacturers would remain part of the club’s identity.
“After 27 years it was normal to leave. The decision was a lengthy process and it was natural that there were other sponsors who were interested and potentially willing to invest more than us.
“Anyway, we feel like part of the history of Inter and will always retain that bond,” he continued.
Finally, the CEO looked ahead at Inter’s future, with suggestions that owners Suning will look to sell the club.
“According to what I read, Suning intends to support Inter by looking for partners. Inter is still appealing to investors, we’ll see if is a minority stake or not.
“There are various types of popular shareholders, such as at Bayern Munich though they have Allianz who provide a strong guarantee. There is a need for solid investors who provide important figures to manage a football club.
“In previous years I have felt superstitious and that Inter could lose from winning positions. This year I would be very surprised if it happens.
“If I look at the staff, Juventus are well structured, Milan have a strong motivation and desire to win the league. But if Inter avoid a ‘pazza’ moment, there is only one winner.”