Inter CEO Beppe Marotta feels that the expectation had not been that the Nerazzurri would be able to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds from their group and so if they do so this evening it would be special.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia ahead of this evening’s Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen, the Nerazzurri executive admitted that the club felt that dropping down to the Europa League would be likely.
Inter knew that they were in for a tough task reaching the knockouts for a second season running when the group stage draw took place.
A group containing European heavy hitters Bayern Munich and Barcelona looked like it would be a big ask.
This was made even worse by the fact that the Nerazzurri’s form to start the season was erratic at best, and the team have been missing Romelu Lukaku and Marcelo Brozovic for some time.
Marotta noted that “Qualifying for the round of sixteen would be an important milestone that would go to show how much growth and consolidation we’ve made in the past three or four years.”
“At a European level, it would be a great result.”
Of the team’s recovery from a bad early period, Marotta said that “The first thing we did was make a careful analysis of the situation, to see if there were any deficiencies to be addressed.”
“We realized that this is a group that could get back to the highest level, the coach above all,” he continued.
Of Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, the CEO, said that “He has rediscovered the soul, the compactness, the motivation, the sense of security.”
“We’ve returned to the standard of Inter, which is a great club.”
When it was suggested that the Nerazzurri had been prepared to accept dropping down to the Europa League, Marotta replied “That’s very much true as far as we’re concerned.”
“Ours was a very prudent budget,” he continued, “it must always be so at the start of the season, although we always had the will to reach the knockout rounds.”
“After the draw things were only made more difficult,” he continued, “today we’re deservedly in a position to cap off a dream.”
“We can deservedly reach the next round, which would of course be important for sporting reasons as well as in terms of the budget.”
Marotta spoke about his time working with Inter President Steven Zhang, stating that “For me it’s been a wonderful experience, working for a team like Inter is a dream and has always been my goal.”
“At first there were difficulties, but little by little we got back on top thanks to the security that the ownership gave us.”
“We’ve managed to establish a foothold at this level with Conte, and now with Inzaghi, thanks to the wonderful club, owners, and these incredible fans,” Marotta said.
Asked if he hears from Zhang’s father Zhang Jindong, Marotta said that “Absolutely, he’s a big fan of Inter and a football fan in general.”
“I must say that in the meantime Steven has also grown a lot in terms of his running the club,” the CEO added, “his presence alongside us has been important, it gives us a special impetus.”
Marotta also addressed the contract situation of defender Milan Skriniar, whose current deal runs out at the end of June 2023.
“First of all Skriniar, deserves for his contract to be extended,” the CEO said.
“We have an obligation to sit down and negotiate the extension, because he deserves it,” he continued, “we hope he will become a reference point for Inter for the present and the future.”
“Then it’s clear that the negotiations and decisions both involve two sides,” Marotta said of the contract talks.
“I’m an optimist by nature, I hope we can arrive at an agreement on a significant new contract as soon as possible,” he made clear.
