Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella highlights the difference between Simone Inzaghi and Antonio Conte and warns Italy’s opponents ahead of the World Cup play-offs in March.
During his first two years at San Siro, Barella worked under Conte, winning one Serie A title and reaching the Europa League Final in 2020.
The Italian coach left Inter by mutual agreement in the summer, only a few months before his appointment as Tottenham coach.
Inter replaced him with Simone Inzaghi. The former Lazio coach signed a two-year deal with the Nerazzurri and has qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time in ten years.
Inter sit second in the Serie A table, one point off table leaders Milan.
“What we experienced last season gives us self-confidence. We have the Scudetto on our chest and we’ve learned from our mistakes,” Barella told Sky Sport Italia as quoted by FcInternews.it.
“Then the coach [Inzaghi] gives us more serenity and probably that’s what we needed after two intense and difficult seasons that gave us many satisfactions.”
Barella played a key role in Italy’s victory at the Euros last summer and has warned the Azzurri’s opponents in the World Cup play-offs in March.
Italy failed to win their group, so they must qualify for Qatar 2022 going through the play-offs.
They will face North Macedonia in the semi-finals and could meet Turkey or Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Final.
“We are European champions, so the other teams should be worried as well,” Barella said.
“Sometimes the ball just doesn’t want to go in, we’ll have to go through the play-offs, but I am sure that we will make it.
Barella blames himself and Militao for red card against Real Madrid
In another interview with SportMediaset, Barella apologised for the red card he had received against Real Madrid on Wednesday and said he hopes he won’t receive a two-match ban.