Inter CEO Beppe Marotta feels that the idea of being knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica this evening is a notion that he doesn’t even want to consider.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Amazon Prime ahead of this evening’s match, via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri CEO admitted that the idea of potentially having to consider coach Simone Inzaghi’s future in the event of getting dumped out of Europe is a topic he’d rather not consider.
It has been reported that going through to the semifinals of the Champions League would be decisive and vital for Inzaghi‘s future as Inter coach.
Given the team’s horrendous form in Serie A, their success in Europe is the one thing that the coach can point to as a real positive of the last few months of his reign.
Asked about the idea of having to sack Inzaghi if the team are to squander their two-goal advantage against Benfica this evening, Marotta replied that “I don’t want to think about it. ”
“We know that the coach is always someone who comes in for criticism, but we also know that we have to properly evaluate his work,” he added.
“We have to let the coach work to get things back on track,” he added.
Of the significance of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg the team are about to face, the CEO said that “This is a massive occasion for everyone, there’s a lot of emotion but we’re aware of how we can create something important for ourselves.”
Asked if rumours about a future sale have affected the team on the pitch, Marotta replied in no uncertain terms, “No, because the club has put the sporting side of things in a great position to work at our best.”
“There are no excuses, we have to work well and qualify for the Champions league.”
Regarding the prospect of a Milan derby in the semifinals of the competition, Marotta said that “It would be an incredible feeling, the idea of a derby for a place in the Champions League final is a blast from the past, but at the same time it could be used by the city of Milan to show ourselves to the world.”
Marotta also spoke to Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, and addressed rumours that the team could offer the players a cash bonus for finishing top four in Serie A.
“Players don’t have to be mercenaries,” he said, “it would be very depressing if we had to solicit them financially to achieve an objective that’s well within reach for them.”
“When I arrived the first thing I did was eliminate cash prizes for finishing top four,” he added.
“Inter always have to be at that level, then if the other teams are better, we must be patient,” he said.
“We have to give them a stimulus, but just through discussion and always being there behind them.
