Inter CEO Beppe Marotta insisted that they should not be afraid to declare their ambitions to win the Scudetto, ahead of their Serie A clash against Genoa this evening.
The Nerazzurri make the short trip to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to take on a Grifone side that have drawn four consecutive games under new coach Alexander Blessin, whilst Inter search for a first win in four Serie A matches.
Speaking to Italian television broadcaster Sky Sport Italia before kick-off, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Marotta confirmed that Inter’s targets for the campaign had not changed and they would not hide the fact that they were battling to retain the title, despite suggestions of a transitional season.
“It has been a very positive year, we are in the running on all fronts. In football the message passes that those who spend the most wins, but in this club there is also the quality of the management, the characteristics that led us to win the Scudetto,” Marotta declared.
“We must not be afraid to say we want to win the title, we are professionals and we always fight to reach great levels.
Marotta admitted that Inter had hit a tough patch of form, but felt that they were being hampered by a demanding schedule and warned against complacency against Genoa.
“We have had an extraordinary schedule, and it is normal for there to be a decline when you have to face many matches, not only with clubs but also for national teams. The other clubs fighting for the Scudetto have also had difficulties.
“This is the most difficult time for Italian clubs and must be overcome with as little damage as possible, knowing that the pitfalls are also hidden in games that appear easy.
“The team is doing well. Today in football the psychophysical aspect plays a significant role, when you play at Marassi against a team with a poor standing it seems like an easy match, but it isn’t. We have to play as if we are facing a great team.”
Coach Simone Inzaghi has sprung some changes with a view to Tuesday’s Coppa Italia clash against AC Milan, as Alexis Sanchez replaces Lautaro Martinez in attack.
“I would say rotation is normal due to the competitive pressure of so many games played. The turnover is quite physically demanding, every big club has starters and squad players. I would not speak about who is on the bench, but of an entire group at a high level.”
A summer of turmoil saw Romelu Lukaku sold to Chelsea after Achraf Hakimi was offloaded to Paris Saint-Germain and coach Antonio Conte quit, subsequently taking the helm at Tottenham Hotspur. Despite all three struggling at their respective new clubs, Marotta argued that he did not relish seeing them unable to replicate the success they enjoyed at Inter.
“There is no pleasure. This is sport, they contributed to winning the Scudetto. We have to look at each other at home, we are going through a difficult period. The memory of those who helped us to reach our goals is always pleasant. They are going through a difficult time but the season is long and therefore they have the time to achieve the satisfactions they deserve.”
Another departure was that of Christian Eriksen, who was unable to play for Inter in Serie A after suffering a cardiac arrest for Denmark at Euro 2020, and has since joined Brentford in the Premier League. With the Dane in line for his Bees debut tomorrow, Marotta took the opportunity to wish him well.
“I’m happy for him, he suffered a lot. We had him with us after the incident. The authorisation of the Premier League will allow him to do his job and return to an environment that has been abruptly removed.
“We send our best wishes from Inter for a career with many successes. In Italy the regulations are as strict as they should be, and for him any activity was not possible,” Marotta concluded.
Inter can go level with Milan at the top of the table with victory, following the Rossoneri’s 1-1 draw with Udinese earlier on Friday.
