Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta has given his thoughts on Marko Arnautovic starting over Marcus Thuram in attack in this evening’s Champions League opener away to Real Sociedad.
The Nerazzurri executive spoke to Amazon Prime, via FCInterNews, giving his thoughts on the lineup selections.
There are quite a few eye-catching inclusions in Inter’s starting eleven for their first Champions League match of the season.
Against Real Sociedad, Benjamin Pavard makes his first ever appearance for Inter, and he does so from the first minute.
Meanwhile, Kristjan Asllani is in the lineup, making his first start of the season.
The Albanian replaces Hakan Calhanoglu, who is out with an injury, in midfield.
And another player who gets his first start this season is striker Arnautovic. The Austrian re-joined Inter during the summer, and has played in all of the team’s matches so far this season.
However, he has only done so as a substitute.
This evening against La Real, the Austrian partners Inter captain Lautaro Martinez in attack. Marcus Thuram drops to the bench despite his flying start to the season.
Inter CEO Marotta On Arnautovic Starting Over Thuram Vs Real Sociedad
Of the decision in attack, Marotta said that “Our team has starters and then co-starters.”
“The coach has to manage all the matches in close succession. There’s tonight’s match, Empoli, and Sassuolo.”
“He’s the one who evaluates everyone’s condition,” Marotta said of Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi. “It’s a natural process.”
Asked if Inzaghi has a sense of authority, Marotta replied “Absolutely, yes, but not just him.”
“This is a project that was born a few years ago, when almost no one in the team had played in the Champions League,” Marotta noted.
“Now there’s security, certainty, a strong sense of belonging. There are many reasons to be optimistic about this path we’re on.”
And of defender Pavard, Marotta said that “Pavard is a world champion.”
“He can provide experience even when he’s not playing.”
“Seeing him on the bench in the derby gave us the energy we needed,” Marotta noted.
“Both the players who play and those who don’t represent a winning group for me.”