Inter Coach Antonio Conte: “Our Incredible Form Was Unimaginable Until Recently”

Inter coach Antonio Conte admitted that his side’s charge towards the Scudetto has surpassed even his own expectations, following a 1-0 win over Hellas Verona this afternoon.

Matteo Darmian scored the only goal of the game as Inter moved 13 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, and only require a further six points to be crowned champions.

In an interview with InterTV after the match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Conte reflected on a run that has seen the Nerazzurri remain unbeaten in 17 league matches since the start of January.

“We came into the match off two games where played very well and deserved more (1-1 draws against Napoli and Spezia),” Conte claimed.

“We knew that we had to deal with the physicality of Verona, it was my choice to name the same team in these three games because I knew that this was an important moment I did not want any regrets.

“Even today we did well, it is not easy and we also know that from the teams chasing us, who are struggling because the pressure is heavy for us and for others. We have had an incredible journey, it was unimaginable until recently.”

Conte admitted that he had focused on improving Inter’s mindset since arriving at the club in 2019 and felt it was crucial in order to earn success.

“If you want to win then you have to work on the mental aspect, not only on the pitch. It is not just a secondary aspect, because in the end you must show the team that there is a difficult path to winning.

“There are lots of sacrifices. Not everyone is capable and sometimes they back down. Only when you win do you understand that it was worth it.”

The coach’s 3-5-2 formation has proved successful in Inter’s charge towards the Scudetto, with wing-back Darmian netting the winner against Verona.

“The wing-backs are full-backs in the defensive period, but wingers when we attack. I came to this conclusion because I used to play four at the back, but the positive aspects that the wing-backs offer are  many. They are an extra player in the defensive phase and again in attack,” Conte concluded.