Antonio Conte will be as desperate as ever to win when Inter visit Juventus for the Derby d’Italia tomorrow, according to a report in the Italian media.
Gazzetta dello Sport said Conte was incapable of thinking about any other scenario which didn’t involve beating the Bianconeri, and is preparing the match as if Inter weren’t Serie A champions yet.
Whereas Inter fielded rotated XIs against Sampdoria and Roma, Conte will revert to his strongest line-up at the Allianz Stadium out of respect for Juventus, who still have something to fight for (unlike Sampdoria or Roma).
Conte demands respect from everyone and he returns the favour, with the report arguing this concept was the foundation of all his successes.
Inter are hoping to continue their extraordinary league form in Turin tomorrow, with the Nerazzurri having picked up 19 wins and three draws in their last 22 games.
Conte has completed ‘a radical change’ of mentality since being appointed head coach in 2019, leading them to the Scudetto this season despite never-ending off-field turmoil and the shortest pre-season of all Serie A’s top clubs.
Inter have never beaten every league opponent at least once in a season before, but Conte can pull off that ‘clean sweep’ if he beats Udinese on the final day of the season.
Before that, he will be seeking a 64th win at Inter in his 101st match in charge, a tally which already puts him ahead of Inter predecessors Jose Morurinho and Roberto Mancini.