Inter CEO Beppe Marotta discussed the situation surrounding Moroccan wing back Achraf Hakimi and his false negative Covid-19 test, the start of the season and coach Antonio Conte in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia earlier today.
“Disappointment and regret for what happened, and especially for the decisions that were made. It is certainly not an excuse for the match, but it is a fact given the preparation of the match.
“UEFA will have to be more precise in the future. Now Hakimi has fully recovered from all effects and we thank our medical staff.”
The former Juventus executive touched on the Milanese club’s slower start to the season, after an initially exciting start with wins over Fiorentina and Benevento.
“At the moment, balance is completely temporary, since things will be found later on. We are at the beginning of the season, certainly we have suffered some physical condition issues after last season ended at the end of August.
“And even the epidemic, even without making an excuse, has created imbalance.”
He commented on Conte’s words that Inter would be following a ‘Liverpool model’.
“Certainly, it’s hard to win the league, the competition is very fierce. Then, in the context of a management at a planning level, the fact of having indicated a date is still a sign of having indicated a medium-long term plan.
“So I would say, we trust and are happy with the path taken and onward with the goal of winning.”
Finally, Marotta spoke about the fact that Conte made four changes to the squad compared to the one that drew with German side Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League earlier this week.
“Right now, there are many games. And we have an important commitment in Kiev on Tuesday.”
The Nerazzurri are hoping to bounce back with a decisive win against Genoa this evening, after going three consecutive games without taking home three points.
The Milanese club’s upcoming games are against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by a league clash with Parma next weekend.
