There are similarities that can be drawn between Antonio Conte’s Inter and the historic Inter side of Giovanni Trapattoni, according to former Inter president and owner Ernesto Pellegrini.
Inter pulled six points clear of AC Milan in Serie A last night with a crucial 1-0 win at home to Atalanta.
The Nerazzurri relied heavily on their defensive solidity at San Siro and this led Pellegrini to be asked if there were similarities between Conte and Trapattoni’s teams.
“Trapattoni’s Inter played excellent football, as does Conte’s team,” Pellegrini told Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb’s radio station TMW Radio today.
“They both have strong defences and a good midfield.
“Nicolo Barella would have been very good in Trap’s Inter.
“The two teams are similar.
“My Inter team was not lucky, they could and should have won more.”
Pellegrini, who owned the club between 1984 and 1995, was then asked which modern day Inter player he would insert into one of the sides that played during his tenure in charge at San Siro.
“I’m sorry to Aldo Serena, who was great, Romelu Lukaku is similar but maybe I would have taken the Belgian over him.
“Both are unstoppable, I think they would have done well together too.”
The 80-year-old Italian businessman also reflected on Inter’s most recent win over Gian Piero Gasperini’s team.
Inter won the match 1-0 thanks to Milan Skriniar, whose goal was in fact Inter’s only shot on target in what was a tough game for Conte’s side.
“It was a beautiful game and very close,” Pellegrini said.
“There was a slight territorial dominance of Atalanta especially in the second half, but Inter showed an uncommon defensive solidity.
“They are now six points ahead of second and this is not a small margin.”
Inter’s win on Monday was their first in Serie A with only one shot on target since 2009.