Inter CEO Beppe Marotta underlined the management’s trust in Simone Inzaghi and noted the key issues the club need to resolve before the end of this season.
The Nerazzurri were on a high entering this weekend, having secured an important Champions League win over Porto, but their moods quickly deteriorated after suffering a 1-0 loss away to Bologna.
Inter’s next two league matches are against provincial sides Lecce and Spezia, and after this they’ll face Porto again in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie. Inzaghi’s side now sit 18 points behind league leaders Napoli and level on points with third place Milan.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Marotta first reflected on Inter’s work over the last few years.
“In 2019-20 we finished second in the league and played the Europa League final, then the Scudetto in 2020/21.
“With Inzaghi, in 2021-22, second in the league and now we are in the running for the Coppa Italia and Champions League. We’re the best in Italy over the last four seasons.”
The Nerazzurri CEO then touched on the team’s current inconsistencies and the expectations of the club’s management.
“But the current situation is bittersweet, protagonists in Champions League and Coppa Italia but in the most important event, the one in which everyone believes, the league, we have been inconsistent.
“Inzaghi is a very good young professional, he is doing a great job and the trust has never wavered. It is difficult to win and be competitive, we are doing it, but a fact emerges that needs to be remedied, that of the inconsistency against the provincial teams.
“The solution must be found by the players and coach, knowing that the club supports them. We ask the team and coach for more concentration so as not to lose sight of the goal of qualifying for the Champions League.
“The application that they have shown in this period must be greater against opponents within reach, they must not underestimate anyone because the opponents today have grown and it is difficult to win against everyone.
“I really appreciated Lautaro’s words because it means having a great sense of belonging, which is an added value that. Footballers must have. He emphasised that there is a lot of work to be done, a very useful demonstration.”
He made a brief comment about the future of Romelu Lukaku.
“Today he’s a Chelsea player and we’ll see if we need to renegotiate with them.”
The Inter CEO spoke about the deadlines facing the club’s management.
“From a rational point of view, we have to make choices but we are working on that to keep the team competitive. Our ownership has never lacked anything.”
Finally, Marotta was asked if Inter were nervous when on the pitch.
“I can guarantee that within the locker room there is great harmony and unity, everyone fires up each other and works together, otherwise we would not be here and we would have taken different measures.”