Superstitious Inter supporters will not thank me for saying this, but I Nerazzurri have stopped their decades-long drought for scudetto.
Serie A’s league leaders were not at their best on Sunday afternoon, but they did not have to be to win their 11th victory in a row in a 1-0 victory over Cagliari – which opened an 11-point gap on nearest rivals Milan.
The winning look looks set to continue for Inter! ? ⚫
Matteo Darmian gets a breakthrough, Conte runs on to the pitch to celebrate, and they move one step closer to Scudetto glory? pic.twitter.com/fg0ubOUZhD
– Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 11, 2021
With eight games left, and with little in the way of a big competitor in this title race, Inter are basically at home and released. It has been widely known for some time that the title was on its way back to Milan this season, although we mistakenly assumed that it would be early runaway leaders Milan who carry the crown at the end.
In Rossoneri’s form, it did not stand the test of time, and at a time when their Nerazzurri rivals were normally crumbling, Inter instead grew to a crescendo. And while many will point to the unsustainable and unrealistic expectations of their city enemies, or the appointment of rookie coach Andrea Pirlo as current champions Juventus, there is only one fact we must accept:
This title win is awarded to all Antonio Conte.
Yes, Inter have spent a lot of money, and yes, their recruitment has been pointed towards immediate success, and yes, I Bianconeri’s bad season has helped them compete significantly. But this is not the Italian coach’s first rodeo.
Celebration time | Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
He has already changed the Italian football landscape once during his coaching career and taken a Juventus team that could not invent itself after the calciopoli scandal and turn them into league winners.
Conte took over in 2011, won the old lady’s crown back, defended it twice more and then walked away with his head held high. He managed to overthrow Massimiliano Algrigis Milan’s side and the triple-winning Inter 2009/10 and placed Juventus on the field that they have finally derailed this year.
He did what Claudio Ranieri, Ciro Ferrara, Alberto Zaccheroni and Luigi Delneri could not do. He returned Juve to their perch in the aftermath of shame and set the wheels in motion for a decade of relentless glory.
However, all good things must end, and it only feels fitting that the man who built it from the ground is the same man who takes a sledgehammer and knocks everything down.
Juvenile season before Conte – 7thConte first season – Champions
Chelsea season before Conte – 10thConte first season – Champions
Inter season before Conte – 4thToday – Champions-elect
Ended the monopoly he started a decade ago, The best to ever do it, Don Antonio. pic.twitter.com/49VhBVfznW
– # 10 (@ LSDWN6) April 11, 2021
Since Conte arrived at Inter in May 2019, the Italian giants have only improved. Last season’s second-placed goal was seen as a failure by some, who thought Juve were there to take. They were only short, but it was the perfect recipe for the data manager to demand more money and build his dream team.
Achraf Hakimi’s arrival has been the tipping point, with the wing back fitting perfectly into Conte’s 3-5-2 system. His signing has given Romelu Lukakus and Lautaro Martinez a talismanic partnership, while Christian Eriksen’s rebirth has given Inter a few close matches in 2021.
Conte could not have been happier with the Inter winner on Sunday, with Hakimi setting up his friend fullback Matteo Darmian to score the perfect goal in this system. The inter-manager gave Hakimi a big sloppy kiss in the celebration and said after the match that he feels like an “older brother” for this group.
“I lived with a high-intensity match for 95 minutes, mine was a reaction to embrace the boys’ efforts,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
1-0 Inter. Matteo Darmian opened the scoring in the 77th minute! Antonio Conte is there to celebrate with the rest of the squad. pic.twitter.com/9QBm37WkXz
– ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) April 11, 2021
“They are rewarded with the hug and also with a kiss like I did with Hakimi. I consider myself an older brother to them and they feel the affection I know for them. I am ready to throw myself into the fire for them and I think this is appreciated . ”
Conte enjoys the golden period where everything goes in place and each player responds well to his methods. Something that, when it’s good, is so, so good.
Basically, everything has come up for Inter this season, and although their European adventure ended too soon, I do not care about a Note when they lift the Serie A trophy in May.
It’s been a long time coming – in fact ten years – but the wind has changed in Italy and Conte’s floating locks bounce majestically in the wind. He’s done it again, guys.
