Inter director Beppe Marotta admits his regret at losing the 2023 Champions League Final but feels the gap between the two sides was ‘minimal’ as the Nerazzurri ‘had a great chance to equalise with Romelu Lukaku.’
Marotta has released an interview with Rai about the 2023 Champions League Final that saw the Nerazzurri suffer a 1-0 loss against Manchester City in Istanbul.
“It was a triumphal and unexpected ride, but at the same time, it was undoubtedly deserved because we reached the Final by beating clubs of undisputed worth,” Marotta said as quoted by Gazzetta.
“Of course, when you lose a Final 1-0, there is regret, but the gap with Manchester City was minimal because we had a great chance to equalise with Lukaku. Congrats to the winners. To lose a Champions League Final that way leaves a bitter taste in our mouths, but also the awareness of being a mature team.”
Lukaku missed an open goal at minute 88 in Istanbul and accidentally blocked a Federico Dimarco shot shortly after.
The Belgian striker had been introduced as a substitute from the bench. He eventually decided against returning to Inter on a permanent transfer last summer and joined Roma on loan in August 2023.
Inter won the Supercoppa Italiana and the Coppa Italia in 2022-23. The Nerazzurri are the current Serie A leaders with a two-point margin on second-placed Juventus.
Inzaghi has won lifted trophies at the Stadio Meazza since 2021 but hasn’t yet won the Serie A title.