And 13 months later, Christian Eriksen and Antonio Conte understand each other. The Dane, who arrived as a bargain in January 2020 as one of the best midfielders on the continent, had not managed to speak the same footballing language as his coach. Therefore, his departure seemed a fact just a month ago. Nevertheless, everything has changed. A fantastic foul against Milan that qualified Inter for the Coppa semi-finals (where they recently lost to Juve) seems to have served as a springboard. Since then, starter in three of the next five games, when he came from playing 20 minutes in the previous eight games of Serie A.
“I applaud everyone, including Christian, who is beginning to understand what we want from him”Conte exclaimed exultingly, after beating Lazio (3-1) and placing himself at the top of the standings. A match in which neroazurri They performed at a high level, but began to take the correct route when the Dane enabled Lukaku to yield to Lautaro, which would cause the 1-0 penalty that the Belgian himself would convert. “His performance was excellent, it is the right way”, exalted again that of Middlefart.
Conte explained the process lived by the former Tottenham. “He had some acclimatization problems, it is not easy to understand a football as tactical as Italian, the intensity is higher than in previous years. We are trying to try different things and I think he played a very neat match in both phases (offensive and defensive). . He has a more rabid leg and that represents an extra weapon for us. And I am calm, “the Italian remarked, publicly demonstrating what was sensed with the increase in minutes: Eriksen has changed his paradigm.
'Sorpasso' to Vidal
The scenario has changed and it has done so in the absence of one of Conte's protégés, Arturo Vidal. The Chilean midfielder, arrived at the express request of the coach from Barça, is not achieving the desired regularity due to physical problems. “He's had discomfort for a long time,” Conte said before the clash against Lazio, in addition to questioning his presence at the derby della Madoninna of this Sunday. The physical and performance swings, in addition to the economic situation of Inter, already make the Italian press focus on San Joaquín.
Against Milan they will play the lead, since they take Pioli's men out of a single point, and everything indicates that Christian Eriksen, recently reviled, will play a fundamental role in the interior engine room, next to Brozovic and Barella, untouchable. The characteristics of the Danish have little to do with those of the Chilean, but that may work in his favor to confirm the sorpasso, as speculated in Italy, if he maintains the level shown in recent games, in which he has dazzled his coach.
Perisic, an indisputable discard
And Eriksen is not the only player whose situation has taken a turn. Ivan Perisic, once on the team's transferable list after the European debacle due to the elimination of the Champions League, is the other great winner for Conte of the match against Lazio. The Croatian, albeit with many more minutes than the Dane, was at the trigger in December, but has now become the perfect replica of Achraf on the other side. If the Moroccan has taken the right lane, the left is the Split highway.
“Time has proved us right. We are talking about an offensive winger, but he is managing to guarantee coverage. He has a potential that he himself does not know. Back was very good, he did not make any mistakes and I am very happy. When he returned to Milan (he was on loan to Bayern last year) he questioned himself, but if there is quality, there is a possible reward“Conte applauded, while placing him on a similar step as the other protagonist of these lines.” Ivan is growing, like Eriksen. And with this, the options grow, which before were more limited, “concluded the technician.
No one doubted the quality of Eriksen and Perisic, but the fit in the scheme neroazzurro it did raise questions. The former, a technical and virtuous midfielder, suffered from the struggle that Conte's teams need in the engine room. But in the absence of Vidal, he seems to have learned his lesson. The second, winger, has been converted to a winger with a very long journey, since his natural position has no place in the ideas of his coach. Two veterans recovered for the cause in time to fight for Serie A. For something was Conte so exultant after the last victory.