Inter director Beppe Marotta admits he did not think they’d be fighting Real Madrid for top spot in their Champions League group after losing their coach and star players, but he won’t rule out going all the way now.
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Champions League Liveblog: Real Madrid-Inter and Milan-Liverpool
Both teams are already qualified for the Round of 16, so this is a head-to-head for the top spot in the group.
Considering Antonio Conte’s side crashed out fourth in their group last season, and Inter sold Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi over the summer, did Marotta expect them to be in this position?
“To be honest, no,” confessed Marotta to Sky Sport Italia. “Neither did many other fans or pundits. This is football, sometimes dreams can become reality.
“We achieved qualification with a round to spare and can now be here with a relaxed state of mind challenging for the top spot in the group.”
There are reports that Inter are ready to offer coach Simone Inzaghi a contract extension already.
“The most important thing right now is that Inzaghi has become a very important reference point for the team and he is very happy and proud to represent the club.
“The players step onto the field giving their best, aware they are representing an important club and hoping to give the fans joy. Inzaghi is a great motivator and can organise the team well, but this is a mature group now that doesn’t need to be particularly stimulated.”
Marotta was at the helm of Juventus when they reached the Champions League Final in Max Allegri’s first season after Conte left, so could Inter follow the same pattern?
“I think we have everything needed to achieve that. The Champions League is a knockout tournament, not a league, so there are favourable circumstances that can make a huge difference.
“This group has gained a mentality and experience of this competition, they are more confident at this level and that was a process to get here.
“They also go into this as champions of Italy, having already booked their spot in the Round of 16, so we all hope to bring Inter back to where they have always been.”