Inter’s victory over AC Milan in February’s derby was the key moment of their Serie A title triumph, according to Beppe Bergomi.
The Nerazzurri were confirmed as champions yesterday for the first time in 11 years, thanks to Atalanta being held to a 1-1 draw at Sassuolo.
Antonio Conte’s side have a 13-point lead with four games left and were therefore free to get their celebrations under way yesterday.
Asked to identify the most important moments of Inter’s season, Bergomi told Sky Sport Italia: “There were three key moments in Inter’s season and they are easy to identify.
“The first one was the tactical changes made during the game at Sassuolo (in November), after Inter had played attacking football at the start of the season but conceded too much at the back.
“Conte realised he needed to take a backwards step, played the 3-5-2 with greater prudence, left his opponents to take the game to Inter and then they were devastating on the counterattack.
“This doesn’t mean Inter have only worked on playing off the ball though, because they’ve also produced great football which has taken them to this moment now.”
Inter’s second key moment, according to Bergomi, was when the club’s financial problems became apparent in January and everybody began talking about off-field matters.
“At that point, Conte managed to create a more close-knit group and all Inter’s players got better,” the former World Cup winning-defender explained.
“Inter changed their skin, Christian Eriksen and Ivan Perisic came into the side and they found the right balance.
“They got to this stage by making the most of everyone in the squad, even those like Andrea Ranocchia who haven’t played much.”
Inter’s third key moment was the aforementioned victory against AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, when Conte’s men ran out 3-0 winners at San Siro.
“AC Milan were ahead until the weekend before that, they were going strong and Inter needed to give a statement,” Bergomi added.
“That match was the turning point because it gave increased belief to the players and it helped them create their winning streak (11 games).
“They gave AC Milan a shoulder barge by winning that match.”
Bergomi also argued Conte had been the most important person in securing the scudetto for Inter, saying: “I know the environment at Inter and you need a charismatic leader, a strong man who takes all the responsibility.
“Conte did all that.”