Conte vows to leave Inter much improved
Antonio Conte has downplayed Inter's struggles this season as a natural consequence of Serie A being tougher, though he remains adamant the club will be in better shape when he eventually leaves.
Inter finished Conte's first season at the helm second in Italy's top tier and just a point adrift of champion Juventus.
Conte feels their ultimate proximity to Juve was accentuated by the fact the Turin giant lost its final two matches, having wrapped up the title with games to spare, though the improvement from a fourth-placed finish the season before was not lost on the former Chelsea boss.
Inter has not been as fluent at the start of this season and sit seventh with 12 points from seven matches, winning only three.
In its five matches prior to the international break, just one ended with a victory, yet despite its recent problems, Conte has no doubt Inter have made progress during his reign.
"I am a hammer," he said, explaining his uncompromising approach and attitude.
"But this is the only way to grow. Without a culture of victory, you can never get to success, but this comes through work, organisation.
"When one day – I hope long from now – I leave, of one thing I am sure: the Inter I leave will be better than the one I found, from all points of view, as has always happened in every club I have been to."
Addressing Inter finishing just behind his former club, Conte continued: "We ended up at one point behind Juve also because they, after winning the title, gave up a bit in the last few matches.
"Paradoxically, I am prouder to have ended in front of Napoli, who started [the 2019-20 season with the goal] to win the Scudetto.
"I don't just remember Juve finishing one ahead, but also the match they played and won against us pre-lockdown. In that game they showed that they still have intact malice and hunger for success."
Conte believes Inter's improvement last season has prompted teams to take a different approach when facing them.
"Inter's image in the minds of opponents has changed," he said. "And that means we have done well, but the matches against us are prepared differently: they all play to the death and with the utmost concentration. This season is harder than to the last one."
