THE JUVE ASSAULT BEGINS!
- The Conte era to change Inter: effort, strict rules and united group
- For Zhang, this is "phase 2" which will bring more victories.
- Conte has already changed the environment and methods: Nainggolan and Icardi are out.
Three years ago, on the first day at Chelsea, the hot topic was Terry’s future (he would stay but play little) and he assured that he could improve many players already on the team. Eight years ago, on day number one at Juventus, there was Marotta at his side. They asked him how many years it would take to bring the Bianconeri back to its winning way, he replied: ‘Who has time doesn’t wait for time.”
Today at his presentation as Inter coach, there will still be Marotta alongside him and there will be many hot topics to talk about and the issue of winning will be centralized. With this press conference, but above all the first night in Lugano for training camp, the Conte era begins at Inter. The “phase two” of project set up by Zhang and Suning, which should start leading to more victories. Chinese ownership has made a huge investment in Conte with strong conviction that Inter can now move up to the next level.
Philosophy - It’s an official first day (will start in Milan, going through Appiano and then it’ll end in Lugano) but he has done an abundant of work over the past month or so, sharing ideas and visions with Inter executives. Conte has already changed Inter, rebuilding enthusiasm and giving it to the environment after somewhat depressing finale of last season. The resounding speed with which the season ticket campaign ended was the first sign showing the mood of the fans. Looking at the market trend, with immediate agreement with transfer objectives, it shows that Inter have become attractive again even for first-rate players like Lukaku.
Not everything is thanks to Conte’s presence (Champions League helps too) but the coach and his winning history are certainly an attraction. Yes having a winning aura is nice but it’s not enough so from the early days after official announcement, he’s been pushing to build a working environment that he likes: cohesive, collective, impermeable to the outside, controlled and organized. Marotta and he then changed all those closest to the team: technical staff, trainers, team managers.
Then Conte agreed to follow Inter’s course of action on Icardi and he extended to Nainggolan: the exclusion from the project sanctioned yesterday by Marotta was born and communicated to those involved weeks ago. This radical and strong choice reinforces the cornerstones and the construction of Conte’s team: the sacredness of rules, discipline, work ethic and hunger for victories. By themselves, these are common principles that every coach could take as his own, the difference lies in the intensity with which they are executed and respected.
Methods - The players will know his methods and ideas starting Monday in Lugano where immediately there will be double training session. Antonio Pintus, the new athletic trainer, works a bit more “dry” than his colleagues, most of it without the ball. He is called the “sergeant” and loves to make the players sweat. Spaniard Julio Tous is specialist in strength and new nutritionist is Matteo Pincella who worked in the national team and then Juve.
Everything is aimed at increasing performance and even when we talk tactics, work will be very intense with the help of assistants like Gianluca, Stellini and Vanoli. Because in the guidelines of his Inter, Conte puts a lot of emphasis on strength other than speed and verticality. And then there are principles of his style and tactical ideas: three-man defense is not a dogma but a very reliable method. The 3-5-2 will have a lot of talents in the midfield while on the wings there will be a lot of running. Inter will have the first opportunity to try it out on Sunday 14th against FC Lugano. Until then, we have six days to put Conte’s methods in them legs.
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I'm fucking excited for next season man.
10 years of FIF
