Antonio Conte is using Inter’s critics to devastating effect this season, a report in the Italian media revealed today.
Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition suggested Conte was following in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho by trying to create a siege mentality at Appiano Gentile.
Inter’s players have withstood intense speculation surrounding the Nerazzurri’s owners Suning, but they have also faced criticism for a supposedly ugly style of play under Conte.
Conte has used all the negative pressure coming from outside Inter to great effect, turning into motivation for everyone at the club.
Inter are 11 points clear at the top of Serie A with eight games left and the Milan-based paper identified four key features of Conte’s work this season.
In addition to his motivational skills, he was also praised for having made Inter a rock-solid team which can alternate between sitting deep and pressing opponents high, as well as using Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez to devastating effect.
Conte was then given credit for his leadership skills, with the report saying that everyone at Inter was impressed at how he was managing the squad and transforming the club’s mentality.
Inter have also made huge strides in big matches since the turn of the year, with the 2-0 win over Juventus said to be a turning point for Conte’s side in that respect.