Inter director Beppe Marotta admits the Champions League Round of 16 draw could be ‘favourable on paper’ but believes the Nerazzurri deserved to lose against Juventus.
The Serie A giants will face Porto in the Champions League Round of 16 in February but have two more games in Serie A before the World Cup break.
They lost 2-0 against Juventus on Sunday night, seeing the Bianconeri leapfrog them in the table, pushing Simone Inzaghi’s boys 11 points below leaders Napoli.
“We are disappointed for a defeat that was absolutely deserved,” Marotta said during the event Industry Talk, organised by Il Corriere Della Sera, as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
“Despite many absentees, Juventus deserved to win in the long run. I never look at the stats, but in this case, we must reflect because we’ve conceded 16 goals from 19 away, losing four times.
“We must analyse the path and make sure we change the team’s double-face. We face an in-form Bologna side on Wednesday and then we visit Atalanta. The previous big games made us understand where we must improve.”
Switching topics and focusing on the Champions League draw, Marotta said: “This draw could be favourable on paper, but we have the utmost respect for Porto, an unpredictable team, especially playing the return leg away.”
The Nerazzurri have two wins, one draw and one defeat against Porto, which they met in the Champions League Round of 16 in 2004-05, winning 4-2 on aggregate thanks to an Adriano hat-trick in the second leg at the Stadio Meazza.
During the same interview, Marotta confirmed that he would meet Milan Skriniar’s agent this week to continue contract extension talks.
Well that’s good that you respect them because the way your playing you will loose against them too. Can’t score and can’t defend.
Porto will dump Lord InZhangi’s club out for good.
Marotta meant this : ” VAR did everything they could to keep us in this game by calling back Danilo’s goal so Inzaghi took the hint and subbed all players with yellows and when they seen that Di Maria was warming up they pooped their pants and shortly entering the match Inter did not foul the player on the counter because Inzaghi has 1 sub left so he would have subbed him and they watched the ball go through the box to Fagioli to make it 2-0. “