Inter CEO Beppe Marotta hints the Suning project will continue amid reports of refinancing and is asked whether Simone Inzaghi can ‘become the Sir Alex Ferguson’ of the Nerazzurri.
The clash with Atletico Madrid kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The second leg of this Champions League Round of 16 tie will be at the Wanda Metropolitano on March 13.
This is Inzaghi’s third season with the Nerazzurri and so far he has won two editions of the Coppa Italia, three of the Supercoppa Italiana, reached the Champions League Final and is currently nine points clear at the top of the Serie A table with a game in hand.
Considering he was so bitterly criticised at times last season, Marotta was asked if Inzaghi could become the Sir Alex Ferguson of Inter?
“I don’t know. Inzaghi has had an extraordinary journey, he arrived without fanfare and proved himself to be a great coach,” the CEO told Mediaset Infinity.
“He is 10-12 years younger than many of the great coaches around the world. He overcame criticism and pressure, he applies a method of football that is wonderful to watch. We are going to enjoy him and hope to have him with us for as long as possible.”
Inzaghi had replaced Antonio Conte, who was fresh from winning the Scudetto with a squad that was largely dismantled to raise funds.
With that in mind, Inter are reportedly negotiating an extension of the loan deal with Oaktree, which is due to be repaid in May.
“I don’t want to get into that. I talk to Steven Zhang and all I can say is that we talk about planning and continuity in the planning. The Zhang model has give us great results and that ought to be recognised.
“Every club has its own identity. Inter had a slow process that brought good results, there is a real sense of belonging within the club.
“We grew and matured, also through the experience of losing the Champions League Final, and self-confidence is one of the keys behind a winning run.”
Alvaro Morata is on the Atletico Madrid bench after spraining his knee nine days ago, but he had been heavily linked with a potential move to Inter last summer, as well as a return to Juventus.
“Morata is one of the players we focused our attention on,” confessed Marotta.
“We must be wary of Atletico Madrid, who despite their reputation, do play attacking football. It is a club that achieved important results despite not having the economic potential of some other European clubs.”
🎙 Nel prepartita di #InterAtleticoMadrid, l'ad nerazzurro #Marotta elogia #Inzaghi e sul rifinanziamento risponde: "Chiedete a #Zhang" https://t.co/g36I4AzSNy
— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) February 20, 2024
Somewhere, some Lazio supporters would tweet, or X now : “former Lazio coach & player has won another trophy at his new club.”