Inter director Beppe Marotta insists club directors’ support’ coach Simone Inzaghi and explains why Piero Ausilio met Barcelona directors on Friday.
The Nerazzurri host Monza at San Siro on Saturday night with a few rotations ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
“This match is apparently easy, but it isn’t. Inter must play all games at best and this match comes in a hectic period,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. “Motivations are surely important.”
Kristjan Asllani starts the second consecutive game in Serie A with Marcelo Brozovic initially on the bench.
“We are happy to have signed him,” said Marotta.
“We should not put pressure on him, he’s getting his chances, it’s his first season in a top club like Inter. He has the time and quality to be a protagonist. We are sure he can do it.”
The Albania international moved to the Stadio Meazza on an initial loan deal with an option to buy from Empoli and has made 23 appearances across all competitions this season.
Inzaghi has been under pressure lately but silenced critics with Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
“Surely he has had an important role in these results, including victories in the Champions League group, which was almost prohibitive,” argued Marotta.
“The coach is the group’s leader, he makes decisions and organises the team, so he has responsibility. As a club, we support him every day, being close to him and the team. This is what we have to do.
“He has fulfilled his duties in the best possible way. Clearly, coaches are exposed to criticism but are accustomed as professionals, so they have to understand where the criticism comes from.”
Inter director Piero Ausilio met Barcelona directors on Friday. According to Gazzetta, the Nerazzurri are interested in Franck Kessié, Marcos Alonso and Samuel Umtiti. The latter is on loan at Lecce until the end of the season, but will return to Barcelona in the summer.
“Piero’s activity right now is to have contacts and travel around consulting with others, so that once we do sit down around a table, we can create the foundations for the next season. There’s nothing unusual in that,” concluded Marotta.