Jurgen Klinsmann sees ‘similarities’ between Antonio Conte and Inter legend Giovanni Trapattoni, while praising Romelu Lukaku and ‘best midfielder in Europe’ Nicolò Barella.
The Nerazzurri are six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand over Milan, so it will take something remarkable for them to fumble the title.
“Are you really asking me if Inter will win the Scudetto? Is that not obvious?” former Nerazzurri striker Klinsmann told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Jurgen Klinsmann sees ‘similarities’ between Antonio Conte and Inter legend Giovanni Trapattoni, while praising Romelu Lukaku and ‘best midfielder in Europe’ Nicolò Barella.
The Nerazzurri are six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand over Milan, so it will take something remarkable for them to fumble the title.
“Are you really asking me if Inter will win the Scudetto? Is that not obvious?” former Nerazzurri striker Klinsmann told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Antonio Conte has a really strong squad at his disposal, but he also had to do an enormous amount of work, improving all the individuals one by one. Think about it, there’s not one who is playing below his standards this season.
“Conte also resolved a couple of problems recently, for example Alexis Sanchez and Christian Eriksen. The Dane played for my beloved Tottenham and he allowed Inter to play in a different way to before.
“I think he struggled at first because it’s not easy for everyone to settle into a different country, especially if you are in a pandemic and can’t go outside to get to know the city or people. You can tell now he’s enjoying playing for Inter.”
Klinsmann was the centre-forward when Inter won the UEFA Cup in 1990-91 under Giovanni Trapattoni.
“I see similarities between Conte and Trap in that they both start from defence as a concept, but then their teams score a lot of goals too. However, it’s more of a team sport now than it was back then,” continued the German.
“Conte has a strong character, he thinks he’s right and is ready to argue the case with the whole world. He’s right, as great coaches have strong characters, like Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola. Conte is writing a piece of Inter history.”
Klinsmann has no doubts over the importance of Belgium international Lukaku to the Inter squad.
“I say this as a forward: today Romelu Lukaku is among the top five centre-forwards in Europe. He doesn’t have God’s gift of Lionel Messi’s technique, but he gives everything over 90 minutes with running, physicality, grit and determination.
“In a team, there are those who give and those who take. Lukaku gives. He’s a leader, he marches on and creates the spaces for Lautaro Martinez, so the Argentine always knows where the ball will end up.
“They have a very similar rapport to the one I had with Aldo Serena, they know each other perfectly.”
However, there is another Inter player who Klinsmann believes is the key to their success.
“I believe that right now Barella is the best midfielder in all of Europe.”