Former Inter centre-back Marco Materazzi believes that Nerazzurri coach Antonio Conte has understood the character of the club after leading them to the Scudetto this season.
Conte arrived at Inter in 2019 with a lengthy and successful history at Juventus behind him, but has overseen a first Serie A title at the club since 2010 to go someway towards silencing his detractors.
In an interview with Italian radio station Radio 24 yesterday, the Italian World Cup winner admitted that he had been impressed by the passion shown by Conte and felt that his work had been recognised by supporters.
“Inter fans are demanding but recognise the effort of people. Antonio will never be an Inter fan, but he has shown that he is a great professional,” Materazzi claimed.
“Hearing him speak, he understood what this Scudetto means for Inter, which brings different joy to any other, even those he has already experienced. Winning at Inter means dedication, it means respect for the colours, it means purity.”
Materazzi won five Serie A titles under coaches Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho, and felt that Conte had created a team bond that was similar to that under the latter, as Inter won the treble in 2010.
“He proved to be at the level that was expected of him. The results speak for themselves, as an Inter fan I’m happy for the team and for him.
“I think building a group is like this is normal. It is never easy to create a united group, Conte has succeeded in these two years where nothing was taken for granted. After Juve had won the title nine years in row, he was like water that slowly breaks the rock.
“He ousted the nine times Italian champions. Congratulations to them, but now we are on the throne and we hope to stay there for a long time.”
The former Everton defender suggested that Inter had laid the foundations for a period of dominance, having followed up last season’s second place and Europa League Final with the Scudetto.
“They started with a Europa League Final and a Scudetto. My dream is that an Italian team will win again in Europe and that it is Inter. The bases to build are all there, they must be strong but the team have shown great mentality. The small details also count.”
Much of Inter’s success this season has come from a solid defence that has only conceded 30 goals in 35 league matches, with the centre-back trio of Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, and Alessandro Bastoni drawing praise.
Materazzi felt that goalkeeper Samir Handanovic also deserved the plaudits, whilst suggesting Inter had standout players across the pitch.
“I would not forget Samir Handanovic either, despite the errors that can happen over a season. But the four of them have quietly allowed the others to play.
“This team has Nicolo Barella, ours had Dejan Stankovic, a player covering every part of the pitch. Skriniar was very good, he was a tank in adapting to the three-man defence. Bastoni reminds me of myself, he’s an Interista and wants to win for this shirt.
“I talked about Barella, Bastoni and [Romelu] Lukaku in my book for these reasons. Barella runs, sweats and leads for Inter, he identifies with what the Inter must be. Lukaku scored many goals and carried the team on his shoulders. I was sceptical about him but I have to change my mind.”
With suggestions that Inter President Steven Zhang will ask players to take a pay cut or defer wages to help the club’s troublesome financial situation, Materazzi admitted that it was a delicate matter.
“Everyone has to make their own assessments, this is a difficult moment (COVID-19 pandemic) for everyone in life and at this moment football is the least of the problems.
“A player must feel privileged to play for a great team like Inter, and he must make the best choice. But this is a delicate moment for everyone,” the former defender added.
Materazzi joined Inter from Perugia in 2001 and made 276 appearances for the club before leaving in 2011.
