Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti fully admits their Serie A results are ‘unacceptable’ and the Champions League quarter-final with Benfica will ‘decide the future too.’
The Nerazzurri won the first leg 2-0 in Portugal and will play the decider at San Siro on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
It has been an extraordinary journey in Europe, getting through a group with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, then eliminating FC Porto in the Round of 16.
They are also in the Coppa Italia semi-finals against Juventus, drawing the first leg 1-1, but in Serie A they have slipped to fifth place and lost at home to Monza at the weekend.
“Inter are a strong team and the Serie A results are unacceptable, but the team is with Simone Inzaghi,” Zanetti told La Repubblica during a youth tournament.
However, there have been reports Inter are prepared to sack the coach if he fails to reach the Champions League semi-final, most likely appointing current youth team boss Cristian Chivu as a caretaker manager for the rest of the season.
Zanetti did not seem to deny this was a possibility when talking about the Benfica clash.
“It is a game that will decide the future too. It is an issue of mentality, I cannot explain the difference in performances between Serie A and the Cup competitions.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reported today that Inter have decided not to renew the loan agreement with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.
“He is still paying the after-effects of that injury.”