Milan Skriniar sounded a rallying cry to his Inter teammates today by saying it was time the Nerazzurri knocked Juventus off their perch in Serie A.
The defender has been one of the club’s most reliable players since joining from Sampdoria in 2017 and began preseason training under Antonio Conte on Monday.
Skriniar talked up Inter’s chances of taking the fight to the Bianconeri, who will be competing for a ninth consecutive league title under Maurizio Sarri.
“They’ve finished first for eight years in a row so the moment has come for Inter to get closer and beat them,” Skriniar told Corriere dello Sport.
“We have a new coach with new backroom staff and we’re all excited. We can’t wait to make a fast start to the season.
“We’re a strong team and we have to work with the objective of winning. If you play for Inter you can’t have the aim of finishing second when you turn up for preseason.”
Skriniar revealed Conte called him shortly after being appointed head coach and praised the Italian’s hunger to win trophies.
“A winning mentality is what determines whether or not you win something,” the Slovak continued.
“You always have to aim for the top, you can’t settle for something less.
“Conte is making us work hard and he likes explaining everything to us: how he wants us to play, the system to use and the movements. Compared to the past we’ve changed how we’re doing things.
“We will be defending in a different way this year so we’ll have to learn how to do it in the smallest detail. I’ve only played in a back three a couple of times so I’ll have to adapt.”
Skriniar also dismissed reports he could have signed for Barcelona or Real Madrid in the summer.
“People have written and said a lot of things but as far as I’m aware I never received any official offers,” he concluded.
“I wanted to stay at Inter and I’ve done so, renewing my contract in the process. I’m happy now because I intend to continue wearing the Inter shirt.”
