Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has praised Nerazzurri coach Antonio Conte for his impact at the club, ahead of their Serie A match against Cagliari today.

The struggling Sardinians travel to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this afternoon looking to close the gap to safety from the relegation zone, but come up against an Inter team that can move 11 points clear at the summit of the table.

In an interview with Italian television broadcaster DAZN before kick-off, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Marotta admitted he expected a difficult match, whilst also addressing comments from Conte in which he suggested taking the Nerazzurri job was not the easy option.

“You must have ability and strength to not see the opponent’s standing in the table, but rather their desire. For them it is an important match in their efforts to avoid relegation and we must be prepared,” Marotta claimed.

“Conte is a great professional. He loves challenges and this was a great one, in a club with a huge reputation but with difficulties. He passed the test well, he is ambitious and must be considered to be a winning tactician.”

The director then looked ahead to the summer and insisted much of the work would be done on the training ground, whilst also insisting that possession-based football did not necessarily mean success.

“Our centre of beauty is at Pinetina, where there is everything available to prepare in the best way with highly trained staff.

“I share Conte’s ideas, it is not with possession of the ball that titles are won. Heriberto Herrera said that territorial possession is more important than ball possession. That is proven in the table,” Marotta concluded.

Inter will look to extend their winning run in Serie A to 11 matches when they face Cagliari this afternoon.