Inter CEO Beppe Marotta feels that Simone Inzaghi’s decision to significantly rotate the starting eleven to face Bayern Munich in this evening’s Champions League group stage opener against Bayern Munich is a good one.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, the Nerazzurri executive defended Inzaghi’s selections, whilst he also expressed conference that a new contract will be agreed with defender Milan Skriniar.
Inzaghi had made a total of five changes to the starting eleven that faced AC Milan in the derby on Saturday, with the coach switching things up all over the pitch, most notably in giving summer arrival Andre Onana his first competitive start in goal over captain Samir Handanovic.
There is no doubt that the approach from Inzaghi is a bold one, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan also making his first start of the season, and it is very uncertain how it will pan out, but for his part Marotta gives the coach his full backing.
“Courage is the prerogative of great coaches,” the CEO said about the changes to the lineup. “Up until November 13 we will to face a very long sequence of matches and it’s only right that the coach makes use of the entire squad.”
“A group like ours has to be very strong and competitive,” he added. “We can only support Inzaghi’s choices.”
And of defender Skriniar, Marotta said that “He has great character, he’s a genuine professional and knows how to handle these situations. We’ll start dealing with the extension as soon as possible and I’m confident regarding his contract extension.”
“In games like these, the approach, the attachment to the shirt, the emotional side of things are all important,” the CEO continued. “The team is energized, highly motivated.”
“We face one of the best teams in the world,” Marotta said of German champions Bayern, “but we want to be at the highest level.”
And of the second start for Robin Gosens at left-wingback, another eye-catching squad rotation, he said that “Today is the right opportunity to show his improvement.”
“If Inzaghi has chosen him, it means that it’s the right time,” he said of the German’s selection. “He can show the form he’s always been able to. Tonight will be an important setting to put him to the test.”
