Inter CEO Beppe Marotta feels that the team have done something important for the history of the Nerazzurri by reaching the Champions League quarterfinal with their draw away to Porto yesterday evening.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportItalia after the match, via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri executive also made clear that the club will seek answers regarding the situation which saw hundreds of Inter supporters denied entry into the Estadio do Dragao.
It has been twelve years since Inter were last in the last eight of the Champions League, and so it would be an understatement to say that the return has been long-awaited.
After a group stage in which a win and a draw against Barcelona were enough to secure progression from a “group of death” which also contained Bayern Munich, and a gritty two-legged tie against Porto that was settled by a solitary Romelu Lukaku goal, Inter are back in the latter stages of Europe’s top club competition.
“This is an historic result and it’s thanks to the work of everyone,” Marotta said after full-time at the do Dragao.
“It’s down to the work of the coach, the players, and the club.”
Regarding the criticisms of coach Simone Inzaghi, the Inter CEO made clear that “It’s worth pointing out that at this point we’re still fighting on three fronts, which is no small matter.”
“When we consider that we’re at this stage in this competition after not managing it for the past twelve years, we see that it’s something that makes everyone around Inter very happy.”
Of the fact that many Inter fans were unable to enter the stadium for yesterday’s match despite having purchased tickets to do so, Marotta stated that “It’s one unfortunate page that leaves a bitter aftertaste to the evening.”
“Some fans weren’t able to enter the stadium, it’s a serious matter that was entirely avoidable,” he added.
“There were many families who travelled here hoping to be part of a special and emotional moment,” Marotta added.
“Tomorrow we’ll inquire with UEFA to figure out why this happened,” he explained.
