Inter Milan wingback Federico Dimarco feels that the Serie A points total record is unimportant, but clinching the title is crucial.
The Italian international spoke to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, following the setback of a 1-1 Serie A draw against Napoli at the San Siro.
One way or the other, Inter are certainly still the overwhelming favourites to win the Serie A title.
The Nerazzurri’s advantage was reduced to fourteen points after their draw against Napoli. City rivals AC Milan had beaten Hellas Verona earlier in the weekend, whilst Juventus drew against Genoa.
With nine matches to go, Inter need fifteen points in total in order to mathematically clinch the Scudetto.
But, and particularly with the Champions League now off the table, the team could also be chasing records.
Inter could still theoretically finish the season with 103 points. That would be more than the team currently with the highest ever points total in a Serie A season, Juventus in the 2013-14 campaign.
And the Nerazzurri could also be aiming to equal their own best ever points total, 97. Or simply to target “triple figures” with a points total of a hundred.
Dimarco: Serie A Points Total Record Unimportant, Clinching Title Vital
In the view of Inter wingback Dimarco, all of that matters little however.
Inter will of course want to win every match that they can going forward. But not in order to set records or achieve particular numbers.
Ultimately, it is lifting the title that is all-important in the view of Dimarco.
And so that, rather than chasing records, is the team’s real motivation for the rest of the season.
“From Empoli until the end of the season, it will all be finals,” Dimarco said.
“The points total record doesn’t matter. What matters is clinching the Scudetto as soon as possible.”
Dimarco reacted to the draw against Napoli, saying that “We played a match with desire, character, and focus.”
“It was what we needed after Madrid,” he continued.
Dimarco said that “Conceding in the final quarter of an hour can happen. Particularly after we went to extra time in our last match.”
“It’s a shame, as we wanted the win. But no one is unbeatable.”
Dimarco added that “We take this draw, and it doesn’t stop all the great work we’ve been doing.”
The 26-year-old said of exiting the Champions League that “It hurts to go out on penalties. We’ve spoken about it in the last few days.”
“But we have to come back and start again stronger. We’re Inter, and we have to think like Inter.”
“We can’t give an inch,” Dimarco added.
