Inter director Beppe Marotta comments on the pressures of international duty ahead of the game with Fiorentina, contract talks and the future of Romelu Lukaku. ‘His love for the Inter jersey is 10 out of 10, we’ll evaluate the prospects with Chelsea.’
It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
The Nerazzurri went into the break for international duty off back-to-back Serie A defeats, including a contentious result with Juventus amid Adrien Rabiot handball suspicions.
This is going to be a very difficult month with nine games in April, including the Coppa Italia semi-final against Juve and the Champions League quarter-final with Benfica.
“Many of our players were on international duty and that was a strain on them, both for playing and the long journeys. The squad only came back together on Friday, so the choices made by the coach were dictated also by this grand tour our players went through,” Marotta told DAZN.
With Milan Skriniar set to leave as a free agent, most likely towards Paris Saint-Germain, Marotta was asked if Inter fans can relax that Alessandro Bastoni and Andre Onana will not do the same, as negotiations continue to drag on.
“As you all know, when the players want to remain at a club, it all becomes easier. I told the players to concentrate on the end of this season and not worry about the contract renewals.
“There is so much still up for grabs and we are all concentrated on the next month.”
Lukaku is on loan from Chelsea, but has made it abundantly clear that he wants to remain at San Siro next season, bitterly regretting his over €110m transfer to London.
“When it comes to his love for the Inter jersey, I can say it’s 10 out of 10. He will return to Chelsea after the loan and then we can all together evaluate the prospects. It’s premature to discuss it now. His performances have been comforting and support the ambitions of the team.”
Marotta was also asked about the Antonio Conte situation that saw him terminate his contract with Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent, not entirely dissimilar to the way he left Inter, even if that was just days after winning the Serie A title. Was he surprised?
“In part, I guess. I don’t know the dynamics that led to this situation, so I am not in a position to give an opinion.”