Inter director Beppe Marotta is ‘very optimistic’ going into the Europa League quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen, while he comments on the ‘courageous’ Juventus appointment of Andrea Pirlo.
It kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
Inter director Beppe Marotta is ‘very optimistic’ going into the Europa League quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen, while he comments on the ‘courageous’ Juventus appointment of Andrea Pirlo.
It kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“This is an important competition, one we want to honour for the work done so far and part of the growth process,” the director told Sky Sport Italia.
“Bayer are a very different team to Getafe, they like to keep the ball and play with quality. Antonio Conte and his staff studied them carefully. I am very optimistic, because what we’ve seen in recent games have been very comforting.
“Games are played over 95-100 minutes nowadays, so those on the bench absolutely have to be up to the same standard as the starting XI. We have a group of important players and those on the bench are certainly not ‘relegated’ there, but rather based on the current form, characteristics and the type of opponent.
“There will be room for everyone and in a tournament that is so compressed, we can see some late changes to the results.”
Pirlo was the surprise replacement for sacked Maurizio Sarri at Juventus, so what does Marotta think of his old club’s decision?
“I worked with him as a player, so I’m glad for him. It’s a courageous choice and I wish him luck.”