In an interview with Tuttomercato, former Inter Milan player Matteo Darmian reflected on his time at Inter and discussed the coach, the team's future, and his former teammates.
What did Conte, Inzaghi, and Simone Inzaghi leave you with?
“Working with Conte was easier because I already knew him from the national team. He gave me the winning mentality and laid the foundation for this cycle. Inzaghi continued this success and gave us more freedom on the field: it’s a pity we couldn’t win more titles, but we always remained competitive. When Chivu took over, the team had a strong squad, but the mentality was in a delicate phase. He quickly realized that before tactics, we needed to regain our mental balance.”
How far can this Inter Milan team go relying on the same core players?
"We can go a long way because the key is quality. These players have grown up at Inter Milan, they fully understand the environment here, and they know what it takes to win. It is because of them that all new signings can integrate smoothly. When people come here later, they will find that there is not much individualism in the locker room, and the goals are highly aligned. This is the strength of Inter Milan, and it can continue for many years to come."
Who would you consider a lifelong friend?
“I have a connection with the entire Italian player community that goes beyond football. And then there’s Marcus Thuram, who, although French, has a bit of an Italian flair. He told me that always being on the bench during the World Cup made him feel a bit like Darmian…”
