Simone Inzaghi has had a better start to the season than Antonio Conte last term. Inter players have precisely explained the main difference between the two coaches, highlighting Conte’s shortcomings.
Inzaghi’s Inter are the Serie A leaders with a four-point lead over city rivals Milan. They have the best-attacking record in Serie A (49 goals in 19 games) and conceded one goal fewer than Napoli who have the best defence in the league.
Inzaghi has continued and possibly improved Conte’s job at Inter. The former Lazio tactician has also qualified for the Champions League round of 16 for the first time in ten years, something that Conte failed to do in his two-year spell at San Siro.
Conte is seen as a coach who can bring a new attitude and a winning mentality at the club. His impact is immediate and Tottenham fans are seeing it.
Despite yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Southampton, Spurs are unbeaten in Premier League under the Italian tactician with 15 points in seven games.
Tottenham fans have been captured by Conte’s first two months at the club, but Inter have already moved on.
Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni have explained well which are Conte’s shortcomings on and off the pitch in two of their most recent interviews.
Barella highlights difference between Conte and Inzaghi at Inter
“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 on December 10.
“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’s teammate and compatriot Bastoni also discuss the players’ freedom under Conte.
Bastoni on ‘idol’ Sergio Ramos, Jorginho’s penalties and difference between Conte and Inzaghi
“Inzaghi has given us more freedom, remembering us that football is a game, except when you lose,” the defender said on December 17.
“Gasperini and Conte are always focused, same as Inzaghi and Mancini, but the last two take care about the human side, so you are more relaxed in crucial moments.”
We saw the same thing happen at Juventus once Conte left. Allegri took over and only improved on the base Conte had built.
Different skill set for different times is how best to sum this up opposed to looking for faults. Conte delivered a scudetto but more importantly a winning mentality to them after more years of the usual perscritto disfunction lead by moratti. Inzaghi couldn’t do that with lazio but now we’re talking about him being better? He’s working from the base conte delivered otherwise he’d still be picking chicoria with lazio maybe. Or maybe not. One thing that’s certain today is inzaghi is working from contes scudetto winning/mentality changing team. His residual will be felt next season. IF< they win again. So until then respect the one who built this because it sure wasn’t inzaghi. Hes only the beneficiary at the moment. Not the Champion. Yet.
I don’t think any Inter players would disrespect conte. He’s like king midas, perhaps not 24k but still gold. Then the next capable coach like Allegri (was) and Inzaghi now will polish the gold further into high quality jewelry.
It’s not easy to do what conte did. Even Pep always choose already established club to start his project. The only other coach I can think of who are better than conte in that regard is Klopp (Mou & Ancelotti in the past)