Inter director Beppe Marotta insists coach Simone Inzaghi’s ‘work has been positive’ and a ‘wise decision’ was made on Romelu Lukaku for the Coppa Italia semi-final with Juventus.
It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The first leg ended 1-1 in Turin, so as the away goals rule has been scrapped, any draw here will force the teams to extra time and perhaps even penalties.
“This is certainly a season we are experiencing to the full, as we are protagonists in two competitions and partially in Serie A too, because the Scudetto is deservedly going to Napoli and then there’s a mini-tournament amongst the others for the Champions League places. That is important financially for the club and also in terms of prestige,” Marotta told Mediaset.
There are only three Italian clubs still in all three tournaments, Inter, Juventus and Fiorentina, as they all qualified for the semi-finals of their European competitions.
Nonetheless, the criticism of Inzaghi continues and there are reports he will be fired at the end of the season.
“We have full faith in the coach. Inzaghi is doing a good job, this inconsistency in Serie A needs to be evaluated as part of the full campaign. We have the opportunity to catch up in the final rounds, so considering the progress in the other tournaments too, we can consider Inzaghi’s work positive.”
Lukaku was originally suspended for this game because of his red card in Turin, the second yellow for a goal celebration that ‘silenced’ the Juventus fans.
However, the FIGC President Gabriele Gravina intervened with an unusual gesture, giving the Belgian a ‘pardon’ because he had been reacting to racist abuse from that area of the crowd.
“I think it was a wise decision from Gravina that fits the sporting atmosphere. The rules cover misconduct and a code of ethics not just of the players on the field, but also the protagonists of the match in the stands,” said Marotta.
Despite that pardon, Lukaku is only on the bench this evening, as Edin Dzeko is preferred.
“These are choices made by the choice, we respect them, as he evaluates performances and training. This type of match can go on beyond the 90 minutes to extra time, so it is only right the coach shares out the playing time and ponders all the alternatives. Lukaku is a professional and if he comes on, he will prove he is up to the task with the right attitude.”
Some of the Inter ultras are protesting in the stands this evening, taking down the planned choreography and turning their banners upside down.
It is reportedly because the ticket prices were released today for the Champions League semi-final and Inter’s ‘home’ game will be more expensive than the Milan leg of the tie.
“I don’t know how the situation is going. We have great respect for the fans and are ready to move towards their needs, as long as they are in respect of the rules.”