Inter director Beppe Marotta explains how they moved on so smoothly from Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku, even improving on their results. ‘Those who spend the most money don’t necessarily win.’
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT, you can follow the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
There is squad rotation ahead of Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Milan, as Alexis Sanchez and Danilo D’Ambrosio step in for Lautaro Martinez and Milan Skriniar.
They are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Sassuolo, as well as the Champions League loss to Liverpool, but Milan dropped points again this evening in their 1-1 draw with Udinese.
“We have had an extraordinary run this season, but it’s normal that there can be a dip when you are in a busy period of the fixture list and include international duty as well,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
“All the teams challenging for the Scudetto have had the same difficulties and we just have to get through it with as little damage as possible, knowing that every game has hidden dangers.
“It might seem easy, but it isn’t, so we have to play as if we were facing a top team.”
Inter won the Scudetto last season, but were expected to struggle after losing Conte, Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi, cutting the budget due to financial problems.
Instead, their results in Italy and Europe have been better than when Conte was at the helm.
“There is this message in football that those who spend the most money will win, but that’s not necessarily true,” added Marotta.
“By going from Conte to Simone Inzaghi, we were able to keep the same tactical approach and general training methods, thereby maintaining a consistency with the team that won the Scudetto.
“We mustn’t be afraid of saying we want to win the title again, as we are professionals and want to reach the highest levels.”
There were reports this week that Lukaku and Conte are already eager to leave Chelsea and Tottenham respectively, so should they regret quitting Inter?
“This is sport, they contributed to the Scudetto. Our memories of those who helped us achieve those objectives will always be pleasant. They might be going through difficult moments, but it’s a long season and they have time to reach the targets they deserve.”
There is also progress for Christian Eriksen, who is expected to make his return to the field tomorrow for Brentford, eight months after his cardiac arrest.
“I am happy for him, as he suffered so much. The Premier League has rules that authorise him to continue his work and Inter wish him a career full of satisfaction. In Italy the rules are very rigid, as is only right, and so he simply could not continue any sporting activity here.”
#Inter, le parole di #Marotta e #Dzeko prima della gara con il #GenoaInter https://t.co/i1bUQMpSs4
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 25, 2022