Inter director Beppe Marotta is ‘bitter’ because the ‘hasty’ whistle from the referee neutralised VAR against Monza, while they ‘must not underestimate’ Parma in the Coppa Italia.
The Nerazzurri host Parma at San Siro this evening in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, kicking off at 20.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
“The Coppa Italia is an intriguing competition that the big clubs really believe in, so we must absolutely not underestimate our opponents, as we need to go through to the next round,” Marotta told Sport Mediaset.
As Inter are the Coppa Italia holders, they will face Scudetto winners Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana on January 18.
“That too is a prestigious trophy and we haven’t played it with Milan for many years. I hope it can be a wonderful advertisement for Italian football.”
The controversy rages on after that 2-2 draw, as Inter had the ball in the net for what would’ve been a 3-1 lead with Francesco Acerbi’s header.
However, the referee blew the whistle for a supposed Roberto Gagliardini push beforehand, so VAR could not intervene to show that in fact two Monza players had tripped each other up.
“I am bitter, because I think that perfectly valid goal would’ve allowed the team to win the game. However, just as players, coaches and directors make mistakes, referees too are only human,” Marotta told Sport Mediaset.
It is not the first time that a referee whistling too early meant that the Video Assistant Referee and his technology could not be used due to the protocol.
“The hasty whistle of the referee made VAR useless. We need to reflect with everyone to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Romelu Lukaku joined the injury list yet again for this game after the dismal performance off the bench against Monza.
“Lukaku had accustomed us to wonderful games, but this season his time at Inter has been studded with difficult situations. We hope he can rediscover his physical fitness and that can allow him to get back to scoring the goals we were used to seeing.”
Finally, the Inter chief was asked about the situation with Milan Skriniar, whose contract expires on June 30 and has still not given a response to the final renewal offer.
“We won’t set any deadlines, these dynamics happen in every club. We’re concentrated in a very difficult period with many games and want our focus to be there.”