Beppe Marotta believes Juventus ‘are favourites’ to win the Serie A title this season as they are not involved in European competition, but insists Inter must be ‘ambitious.’
Inter sit second in the Serie A table, two points below leaders Milan and two above Juventus and Fiorentina. Nevertheless, Marotta believes the Bianconeri are favourites to win the Scudetto this term.
“I won my first Serie A title in Turin with Antonio Conte and we were not playing European competitions,” Marotta told Gazzetta.
“Experience tells me that having the opportunity to plan a season with only Serie A and Coppa Italia is an advantage. This is why I am saying Juventus are favourite for the title.”
Inter beat Milan 5-1 in the Derby della Madonnina last month, but have only collected four points in the last three Serie A games.
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“We made some errors, but I don’t think we relaxed after the 5-1 win in the derby,” insisted Marotta.
“Instead, I think we must work to prevent burnout and mental tiredness. I say no excess of humility, we are Inter and must be ambitious. We must keep the bar high and be confident. It is not like saying ‘we are the best’. That would be arrogance.
“We are strong and we have great consideration of ourselves, thanks to the results we achieved in Europe last season,” continued the Nerazzurri director.
“We know how much fans care about the title, which would bring us the second star.”
Marotta added that this Inter side is the “most complete” he ever built even if the wage bill is still relatively low at €116m, the same as in 2018-19 when he arrived at the Stadio Meazza.
“One of the targets is to cut costs, but competitiveness must never decrease. Of course, important players require important salaries. So, more than cutting costs, I want to make the most of the resources we have. If you are in a top club, a club that wants to win, the wage bill will never go below a certain limit.”
The Nerazzurri visit Torino in the first game after the break this coming Saturday before hosting RB Salzburg in the Champions League and Roma in Serie A.
Inter haven’t won the Serie A title since 2020-21 with Conte in charge.