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Van Persie: “Inter have always been a big club”

Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Conte
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Robin van Persie is in awe of Antonio Conte’s work at the San Siro and hailed how he has made them challenge for top honors in Italy and abroad.

Inter Milan take on Shakhtar Donestk in the semi-final of Europa League. The Nerazzuri have been sensational in Antonio Conte’s first-year in-charge. 

They can still end the season with silverware and Robin van Persie will not count them out. The former Arsenal and Manchester United forward hailed them for their performances. 

Van Persie attributed their improvement to Antonio Conte’s presence in the dugout. He pointed out how the players are more fit and are always willing to sacrifice for the team.

“Inter have always been a big club, but not always in the way they are now,” van Persie told UEFA.com.

“Since Conte arrived, he’s brought structure and it’s clear how he wants them to play. I speak to Stefan de Vrij, and he told me about his first pre-season at Inter – he was like: ‘Wow Robin: it’s so tough, but I’m so fit now’.”

“And he told me that the coach is very clear in how he wants the team to play in every single position. And he wants his team to be super, super fit. So it’s mainly down to him.”

Conte wanted the Belgian at Chelsea but he opted for the Red Devils. The Italian tactician finally has his man and Lukaku is thriving under him. 

Van Persie praised fellow former Manchester United forward, Romelu Lukaku.

“They’ve had great players for many, many years, but now, they really act like a team. [Romelu] Lukaku has been doing so well in the league as well as in the Europa League,” the retired Dutch forward added.

“He got his confidence back and I can clearly see that the team and the coach are connected and they are doing that really well.”

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