Inter coach Antonio Conte insists that his players are on the verge of making history, as they close in on the Scudetto following a 2-0 win over Crotone.
Second half goals from Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi were enough to overcome the bottom club in Serie A and all-but guarantee the title, with Inter set to be confirmed as champions if Atalanta fail to beat Sassuolo tomorrow.
In an interview with Italian television broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the final whistle at the Stadio Ezio Scida, Conte admitted that he had stressed the significance of victory in ending nine years of Juventus dominance in Serie A.
“This title is the result of the constant growth of the team, not only from a technical point of view but also from their mentality teamwork,” Conte declared.
“Those who play and those who are on the bench and were less involved have all created something solid with each other. This is the importance of doing something extraordinary by writing themselves into the history books of Inter.
“We are bringing down an empire that had lasted for nine years. These guys deserve all the credit.”
Conte arrived at Inter in 2019 and saw the Nerazzurri achieve a second-place finish and reach the Europa League Final in his first season, but admitted that it had been a process of changing the mentality at the club and emphasising the importance of victory in order to be remembered.
“There has been a process of growth. I explained in my press conference that a path had to be followed in order to win. You have to sacrifice to be able to do something extraordinary.
“Not everyone achieves it, but I found a group of guys who all pushed forward together. We shared a dream, the desire to do something important by being in the history books of Inter.
“To enter history you have to win and these guys are just one step away. I’m happy to have convinced them but there was no need, I found great willingness.”
A Scudetto with Inter would be Conte’s fourth as a coach, having won three consecutive titles with Juventus, but he felt that his first with the Bianconeri came in comparably difficult circumstances.
“These are two situations of great difficulty. I arrived at Juve after promotion with Siena and Juve had finished seventh. There was no vision, I was lucky because I found a supportive President and we managed to achieve something wonderful.
“We started as the underdogs but overcame AC Milan with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and an Inter team that had won the treble.
“With Inter I made the most difficult choice, many would have run away but I questioned myself. I remain a fan of all teams that I have coached but my priority is the team whose colours I represent.
“It was not easy to get into the hearts of Inter fans and I don’t know if I have succeeded completely, but I have always given everything, as I have done for all my teams. This time I got involved in an important way.”
The coach also sought to address claims that he wanted to make sweeping changes to the culture of the club off the pitch, including with Inter’s anthem.
“I want to dot the I’s, but someone said that I wanted to change the Inter anthem. This is 200% false. It is a good anthem on the ears and someone used the joke of being less crazy because I am convinced that the winning teams have stability.
“This has bothered me, I have respect for the history of every club I work at. I have entered a new world, it has not been and will not be easy because there are so many dynamics. I see that at the slightest opportunity people always try to be negative. Instead they should always be positive and more supportive.”
Inter can secure the title tomorrow if Atalanta do not beat Sassuolo, but Conte claimed that he was giving his players time off and encouraged them to be with their families.
“After the match against Verona I had guaranteed a day off, and today in case of victory I said I would give the players some free time.
“We will not meet up, I prefer that they stay with their families. We will watch the matches at home with our families, though I don’t want us to depend on others since we have a big lead. What will happen tomorrow is relative, but we do not ask anyone for anything. There will be no need,” he concluded.
