Inter CEO Beppe Marotta feels that coach Simone Inzaghi has handled the transition from Samir Handanovic to Andre Onana in goal well.
Speaking to Amazon Prime ahead of the team’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, the executive praised how the coach has managed the situation.
Onana makes his third consecutive start against Barcelona this evening, and the sense is that the Cameroonian should be the first-choice in goal for the rest of the season.
This was not the case at the start of the campaign, however.
Onana didn’t start the Nerazzurri’s first few league fixtures as captain Handanovic continued to be trusted in goal.
Now, however, the 26-year-old has made his first Serie A start against Sassuolo, a big step towards the starting place.
Moreover, Onana is now starting his fourth Champions League match for the Nerazzurri, having played all three of the previous ones.
“We need him to be gradually inserted into the team,” Marotta said.
“First of all we need respect for our captain Handanovic,” he continued, “then it takes a certain gradual process to introduce a goalkeeper into a team in a new league like the Italian top flight.”
“Inzaghi is doing so very well,” he continued.
Of his lunch meeting with Barcelona directors, Marotta said that “There’s the right kind of tension between the two teams.”
“Tonight is an important match for both of us,” he continued, “but my relationship with Joan Laporta is very cordial, we have a long-lasting bond of friendship.”
“They did very well to make us feel welcome.
Of the significance of this evening’s match, Marotta said that “The Champions League is a tournament where the outcome of one match can determine the outcome of a group.”
“We knew we drew two top-ranked teams but we’ve prepared for them very well, and we’ll fight for it all the way.”
