Antonio Conte is on the warpath with his critics at Inter, according to a leading Italian broadcaster today.
As per Sky Sport Italia (via FcInter1908.it), the Nerazzurri’s head coach had several things to get off his chest during his post-match interview after yesterday’s 1-0 win over Cagliari.
Conte was out to score points with his detractors when he said ‘those who know me know that I always get the job done’ and ‘it seemed like the coach deserved the sack and the squad needed a revolution, and yet we’re getting close to the Scudetto’.
Inter’s boss was trying to create a siege mentality with that ‘outburst’, this report argued, raising the barricades around Appiano Gentile and generating a narrative of ‘us vs them’.
Conte was thought to be close to leaving Inter on two occasions last year, when he criticised the club at the end of last season and following the UEFA Champions League group stage exit in December.
He has not forgotten those who thought he needed to be dismissed, nor has he forgotten those who thought Inter had lined up Massimiliano Allegri to replace him.
Conte logged all the criticism he and the team had received this season, Sky suggested, so that he could bring it back up at the right moment and vindicate himself (now).
He has protected Inter’s players throughout this season and has created a group capable of withstanding whatever difficult moments they go through.