Stefan de Vrij has picked out one game in November as the pivotal moment in Inter’s Serie A title triumph.
Antonio Conte’s side were at a low ebb after losing to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League group stage, at which point some supporters were calling for him to be sacked.
But Inter’s next game was a match away at Sassuolo in the league, and the Nerazzurri recorded a comfortable 3-0 win that kick-started their campaign.
“That was the decisive moment,” De Vrij told Sport Mediaset (via FcInter1908.it) today.
“We became a solid team again in that match.”
Inter have withstood all kinds of off-field problems en route to the Scudetto, their first since way back in 2010 when Jose Mourinho secured an historic treble.
De Vrij believes one strength in particular helped the Nerazzurri navigate the most difficult periods of the campaign.
“It was a long season, but we approached it with lots of positivity and a hunger to win,” the defender explained.
“We’re very satisfied because we’ve managed to do it.”
Inter have been rebuilding for several years but it wasn’t until this season that they finally picked up silverware again, their first since the 2011 Coppa Italia title.
“We’re delighted to have won the Scudetto,” De Vrij added.
“This is our reward for all the work we’ve done over the years.
“Finally we’ve won a trophy, something we can touch with our hands.”