Arrigo Sacchi reveals Antonio Conte noted down Italy’s training drills as a footballer: ‘The coach’s job was already in his blood and his head.’
Conte made his senior Italy debut as a footballer in 1994 under Sacchi.
“When I was the Italy coach, I called him up. He was a very professional player with a fantastic attitude,” the former Azzurri boss told Gazzetta.
Conte’s Napoli are the Serie A table leaders and will host Atalanta at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday. The match will kick off at 12:30 CET.
Sacchi reveals what Conte did as a player after Italy training sessions
“At the end of every training session, he [Conte] noted down all our training exercises,” said Sacchi.
“He was a perfectionist, and he’s still as such. He probably knew already what he would do [after the end of his playing career]. The coach’s job was already in his blood and his head.
“I watched the San Siro game against Milan, and Napoli won it without struggling,” continued Sacchi.
“The difference from Milan was evident. The Partenopei made the most of the Rossoneri’s space, while Milan bumped into the opposing’s defence. Napoli almost didn’t take any risk, which means they have a great organisation, even if Antonio is still in his first season.”