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Conte: 'Make victory obsession at Inter'

  /  autty

Antonio Conte feels he ‘surpassed’ himself to win the Scudetto with Inter. ‘Over two years we brought back credibility, now we need victory to become an obsession.’

The title was already secured last week and they celebrated in style with a 5-1 win over Sampdoria, their all-time club record 14th consecutive Serie A home victory.

They continued the party after the final whistle, singing and dancing in the centre-circle of an empty San Siro with scorers Roberto Gagliardini, Alexis Sanchez, Lautaro Martinez and Andrea Pinamonti.

“There is immense satisfaction for me and the players, for all those who contributed to this. Inter hadn’t won the Scudetto for 11 years, so inevitably there’s a great desire to celebrate,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.

“The fans waited too long, but we’re happy to give them this joy and satisfaction. We’re continuing to do extraordinary things, as in the last 19 games – half a season – we’ve won 16 and drawn three. That’s remarkable.

“I was asked three weeks ago which player had improved the most. I would like to name Andrea Pinamonti, because he worked with us throughout the season, he has grown so much, and he knows it’s not easy to have Lukaku, Lautaro and Sanchez ahead of him, but he has some great characteristics and is an excellent prospect.

“He has to keep working like this and can make us talk about him in future.”

The coach is still refusing to discuss next season, including whether he will still be at the club.

“I am here to talk about the present, not the future. We know how hard we worked, how much we suffered, so we need to enjoy this moment.

“Over two years, we brought back credibility to Inter, the club, the team and the fans. I’ve missed my chance to celebrate too many times in my life, this time I want to enjoy it to the full. As for the rest, we’ll see.

“I think the work we’ve done over two years has made a big difference, as the squad improved not only on the pitch, but also in terms of transfer value. The team is now considerably more valuable than it was when I took over, and so I think investing in my experience has paid off.

“I always knew my arrival would bring certain expectations. I feel those expectations have now been met. These lads can still grow further, they can improve in terms of mentality especially, but they are winners and they know what it is they have to do.

“Since we went to the top of the table, we’ve left absolutely nothing to chance. Zero. We didn’t ease off for a moment, not even today.

“I always said victory has to become an obsession for a winner, like a drug that they need. There’s Roma next, let’s take it one step at a time and always try to get the best out of every game.”

Conte was asked what does he give himself the most credit for?

“I did well not to budge an inch. I think I surpassed myself in that sense over the last two years. I had to put all of myself into this. It wasn’t the biggest achievement, but it was the most difficult of my career.

“I had to surpass myself to overcome some obstacles and difficulties I did not anticipate, because I didn’t know the Inter atmosphere. I am very happy to have won with Inter in Milan, because not everyone can say that.”

The only two coaches in Serie A history to have won the Scudetto with both Juventus and Inter are Conte and Giovanni Trapattoni.