Former Inter striker Alessandro Altobelli believes that Inter’s early elimination from the Champions League has been a key factor in their domestic success this season.
Antonio Conte’s side were sent crashing out of Europe after finishing bottom of their group in December, but have since established a nine-point lead at the top of Serie A with a 17-match unbeaten run.
Appearing on Italian television channel Rai yesterday, Altobelli assessed Inter’s 1-0 win over Hellas Verona at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and felt that Conte was a driving factor in Inter’s strong form.
“He was a great figure in this season, after a somewhat uncertain start he brought everyone together, players and directors. These are the results,” Altobelli claimed.
“It is clear that at the beginning there was something wrong, but since going out of the Champions League, Conte has done extraordinary things with a team that were perhaps not consistent. They are now unbeatable thanks to him.
“He also brought back many players who seemed lost. The club, the directors and the coach were all very good and gave everything.”
Following Conte’s requests for clarity surrounding the financial and long term plans at the club, Altobelli expressed surprise and felt that the coach had always been supported by the club.
“The club went out of their way to please him. It seems strange to me to hear Conte wants clarification and wants to understand what the objectives are.
“Inter’s goals are clear, to try to win the Scudetto and go as far forward as possible in the Champions League.”
Altobelli won the Serie A title with Inter in 1980, as well as helping the club to two Coppa Italia triumphs, during a prolific spell between 1977 and 1988 in which he scored 128 goals in 317 games.
