Former Napoli midfielder Ottavio Bianchi has hit back at claims Inter play negative football, ahead of their Serie A match against the Partenopei this evening.

The Nerazzurri can take another step closer to the Scudetto with victory at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, but coach Antonio Conte has faced criticism for his style of play en route to guiding Inter to top spot.

In an interview published in yesterday’s newspaper edition of Tuttosport, ex-Napoli midfielder and Inter coach Bianchi insisted that those within the game could recognise the impressive nature of the Nerazzurri’s campaign.

“I let people say anything, if they think Inter play badly. The only thing that never lies is the pitch. The rest is just chatter,” Bianchi claimed.

“Those who are used to being on the pitch and sweating understand perfectly what the result means. To get it, you have to work hard, be in the right condition, use the right tactics and find the balance between, club, players, coaches and the press.

“There are many peculiarities to achieve victory. Then there are people who pontificate and everyone can talk about football,” he added.

Bianchi scored 14 goals in 109 games for Napoli between 1966 and 1971, before leading the Azzurri to the Serie A title as coach in 1987.

He later spent a season as Inter coach in 1994-95, after a second stint in charge of Napoli and a period at the helm of Roma.