Inter director Beppe Marotta insists the season has been ‘positive,’ yet might not be enough to make a big difference to their finances, while warning Chelsea that Romelu Lukaku ‘is in love with this club.’
The game with Lazio kicks off at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT).
The Nerazzurri are in the Champions League semi-final against Milan, but also have to push hard to climb up the Serie A table and finish in the top four.
“Both are important, because we are Inter and when we participate in a competition, we want to go all the way and keep the bar high. We are deservedly in the Champions League preparing for a wonderful experience,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
“We haven’t done as well in Serie A so far, but our minimum aim now is to qualify for the Champions League next season. As the Scudetto has rather been decided already, there is now a mini-tournament of six teams for the other three places.”
It is no secret that Champions League qualification will also dictate the transfer strategy for next season, as failure would prompt big sales to balance the books.
“The economic planning, based on sustainability, is not just about increasing revenue by going forward in the Champions League and Coppa Italia. Italian football in general is struggling financially, so this will at best cut down the losses we will suffer by the end of the season. We can only look at the sporting merit and boost received from those results.”
Simone Inzaghi remains under pressure and Marotta insists the overall outlook for the 2022-23 campaign has been more positive than negative.
“Clearly we are three quarters through the season, which in total has been positive for Inter, other than the fact we should always be protagonists in the Scudetto race, although that is mainly in this case down to the extraordinary credit to Napoli who cut everyone else out of the running early.
“Extraordinarily and unexpectedly, we are also at a far more advanced stage of the Champions League than anyone had predicted, while the Coppa Italia also brings prestige.
“There will be a definitive analysis at the end of the season, but regardless of how the results do turn out, we are able to judge this as a positive season for Inter.”
Marotta was asked about Lukaku’s future and Inter seem to be tipping back towards an attempt to negotiate a new loan deal with Chelsea, especially as that is what the striker wants.
“Lukaku is in love with this club and this city, so these are important elements to consider, but the player does not belong to us. He is on loan, he will return to Chelsea on June 30 and we will all evaluate the situation together.
“It is important to note that he is a great professional, he has a great sense of belonging, and these are key elements that go alongside the technical and sporting considerations.”