epa10651529 Inter’s coach Simone Inzaghi (R) and CEO Giuseppe Marotta celebrate after winning the Coppa Italia Final soccer match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Inter, in Rome, Italy, 24 May 2023. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO PERI
Inter President Beppe Marotta admits the Champions League trophy is a ‘dream’ and they ‘do not go in as underdogs’ against Barcelona, while he credits Simone Inzaghi with much of their success.
The Nerazzurri have reached their second Champions League semi-final in three years and are still in the running for the Treble, sitting on top of the Serie A table and ready to play Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final next week.
“We are very proud for the club, our fans, the owners, but above all our coach – who has a great deal of credit for this result – and the team,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia after eliminating Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate in the quarter-final.
“It is a particularly happy moment for the squad, but it is not the end of the journey, seeing as we are still protagonists in three competitions. Regardless of the final results, I think this is to be considered a positive campaign and continues the process we started a few years ago.
“Above all, that process really began with the arrival of Inzaghi, making us protagonists in Europe the way we’d never been before, so we’re very proud of that.”
Inzaghi inspired Inter run in Europe
Antonio Conte had won the Scudetto and taken Inter to the Europa League Final, but Inzaghi has found a level of consistency in Italy and the highest level of European football that made him a sought-after figure for other top clubs.
With that in mind, Marotta assures Inter fans that they will not be losing their coach.
“I consider Inzaghi to still be a young coach, but who has accumulated so much experience and quality already. He is a winner, or at least always goes for the victory. He is a fine coach on a tactical level, but is just as good at preparing the squad and dealing with a group that has grown along with him, developing a different mentality to before.
“I saw them learn important lessons from defeat and see them as opportunities for further growth.”
Will signing Inzaghi to a new contract be a pure formality?
“Yes, he has one more year on his contract, but clearly it is not in my mentality to have a coach run down his deal. We will sit down at the end of the season to extend the contract, but it will be just as in the past, a quick and pleasant meeting. We’ll find an agreement, I am very sure.”
Lautaro Martinez also committed his future to Inter and now proudly wears the captain’s armband, as well as leading the team to the Champions League semi-finals with his goals.
“The contract above all sealed this sense of belonging between the player and club. I feel that Lautaro has not just grown on a football level, I have seen him mature as a man and today he truly is our leader.”
Marotta has experienced great success off his own, first as director general of Juventus, then in various roles for Inter, but there is one trophy he is yet to add to his own cabinet.
“We are Inter, the history of this club means it is an obligation to say we participate in every competition aiming to win,” continued the President.
“Winning the Champions League is the only thing I have never done, so it would be very satisfying. I consider it a dream, but seeing as dreams often come true, we need to believe.
“I am in any case certain this is a team that can achieve great things, and we do not go in as underdogs against Barcelona. It is our duty to believe in ourselves and our capabilities.”
