Inter’s success this season has been down to the significant impact of coach Antonio Conte’s ability to motivate his players, according to Italian journalist Matteo Marani.
The Nerazzurri defeated Crotone 2-0 in Serie A today, courtesy of goals from Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi, to move to within a point of winning the Scudetto, and will be crowned champions tomorrow if Atalanta fail to beat Sassuolo.
Appearing as a guest on Italian television channel Sky Sport Italia earlier today, Marani suggested that Conte’s motivational skills had united the entire squad at Inter and ensured that even less favoured players contributed to the Scudetto charge.
“He has this ability to motivate everyone, to take everyone with him and to make the protagonists follow him. A coach is measured by this,” Marani claimed.
“Even with the improvement of individual players, how many times were the reserves mentioned? It was the ideal situation of Conte. Lack of presence by senior people at the club, therefore a greater reason to unite and close off.”
The journalist suggested that Inter’s premature exit from the Champions League at the Group Stage in December had also been motivation for the Nerazzurri, whilst revealing that he had spoken to an unnamed player who had worked under Conte and painted a picture of a difficult experience in defeat.
“The criticism after going out of the Champions League, in my opinion, gave Inter a fundamental assist, it gave them fuel.
“Once, one of his players told me that when he loses he doesn’t allow you to live anymore, there is no peace at all. So, in order not to experience that state of mind there, you do everything to win,” Marani concluded.
Should Atalanta beat Sassuolo tomorrow, Inter will be crowned champions with a draw at home to Sampdoria next weekend.
