Inter are fighting to win the Serie A title and it would be false to say otherwise, chief executive Beppe Marotta admitted ahead of tonight’s Coppa Italia quarter-final against AC Milan.
The Nerazzurri are putting their league ambitions on hold for the evening as they seek to avenge their defeat in the first derby of the season, when Inter lost 2-1.
The winner of the game at San Siro will play either Juventus or SPAL in the semi-finals next month.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai Sport prior to kick off, Marotta responded to suggestions Inter were obliged to win the Scudetto by saying: “We have an obligation, which is to give our best to achieve the maximum.
“To say that we are not fighting for the Scudetto would be false.”
Marotta then discussed the suspensions of coach Antonio Conte and team manager Gabriele Oriali that were dished out earlier on today by Serie A’s disciplinary committee.
Conte has been suspended for two league games and been given a €20,000 fine after being sent off at the end of Saturday’s goalless draw at Udinese, while Oriali has been given a one-match ban and a €5,000 fine.
As tonight’s game is in the Coppa Italia though, the suspensions do not apply and Conte and Oriali will both be present on the touchline.
“The suspensions of Conte and Oriali? Is there tension? These are situations that happen in the world of football,” Marotta assured.
“The tension in a match situation can lead to some misunderstandings.
“We evaluated what happened and decided not to appeal.”
