Inter director Beppe Marotta assures there are no concerns over Simone Inzaghi and Lautaro Martinez interest. ‘We chose the right coach, we are happy with him and he is happy with us.’
The match with Atalanta kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Sassuolo–Napoli on the LIVEBLOG.
This Week 21 fixture was postponed from January so that Inter could play and win the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia, beating both Lazio and Napoli to lift the trophy.
“There is always tension when watching football, we can never fully enjoy it. This game is important to set our season on the right track, but we are up against a difficult opponent, so there will certainly be no relaxation,” Marotta told DAZN.
The Nerazzurri won all 10 competitive matches in 2024 and another victory here would take them 12 points clear at the top of the Serie A table.
“It is not a match point, it is a test where we can prove that the recent positive performances can continue. If there is the performance, then you get the result, so that is comforting. We must continue along this path.”
This has inevitably attracted interest from the Premier League and even Barcelona in coach Inzaghi.
“The best thing we did was choosing the right coach. Having the same coach over several years gives consistency, the fact he is so bonded with the group is an advantage too.
“The great thing today is that Inzaghi earned the trust of everyone in the Inter world and he earned it over the years with his performances.
“Obviously we want to continue with him, because there are good results, but above all we are convinced by his modus operandi.
“If we look at the top four clubs in Serie A, they all have coaches whose contracts are due to expire in 2025. We will discuss it at the right time, but he has our full faith.
“We are happy with him, he is happy with us, so the contractual aspect is just a complement to that.”
There are also discussions over the contract extension for star striker Lautaro Martinez and that might be more complicated.
“My job is to look at the present, while monitoring the future. We look at opportunities around free agents, then the acquisitions will start. This gives consistency to the project and a splendid group, I rarely saw a team so passionate about defending the shirt.
“I am not concerned about the renewals and neither are the players.”
Inter, Marotta: "Lautaro? Pochi così attaccati alla maglia. Non c'è ansia per il rinnovo" https://t.co/FEZdCm0sGj
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) February 28, 2024