Marotta: ‘Inter aim to be protagonists in every competition’ | OneFootball

Inter President Beppe Marotta insists the aim is to be ‘protagonists in every competition’ as they face Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final, though the packed fixture list is creating ‘stress.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The second leg is on April 23 and the winners go on to face either Bologna (who won 3-0 away last night) or Empoli in the Final in May.

The Nerazzurri are top of the Serie A table and also preparing for the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, so could feasibly win the Treble this season.

“I do not talk about the Treble, but that the primary objective is to be protagonists in every tournament at this stage,” Marotta told Sport Mediaset.

“This is the first test today, the second leg will decide who goes into the Final and we are happy to play a big role in the competition.”

Inter are yet to beat their rivals this term, as they lost the first two meetings with Milan – including a comeback from 2-0 for 3-2 in the Supercoppa Italiana Final in January – and snatched a last-gasp Serie A draw in February.

“I would love to follow all three paths, as the history of this club calls on us to be protagonists. If the others are stronger, we will tip our hats to them, but we don’t intend to give up one in favour of another competition.

“We have to give credit to the coach and his staff, as they are doing great things for Inter, based on a strong work ethic and sense of belonging, both important values in modern football.”

San Siro controversy over Marotta comments

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 04: Giuseppe Marotta, Sports CEO of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between US Sassuolo and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on May 04, 2024 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Marotta caused a stir this week when he commented that he did not feel ‘optimistic’ about some aspects of getting a new stadium built.

“My scepticism was not about the project, but about the gap we are seeing between our clubs and those in Europe. In recent years, 150 new stadiums have been built in Europe and only two of those were in Italy.”

Mayor Beppe Sala urged Inter to bring the Serie A trophy back to the city of Milano.

“Minister Andrea Abodi is about to nominate an ad hoc commissioner for stadiums. I was not trying to snipe at the Mayor, I realise it is a situation filled with difficulty. I will say that we don’t just want to bring the Scudetto, but also the Coppa Italia.”

Some changes are forced, as Lautaro Martinez, Mehdi Taremi and Denzel Dumfries are injured, with Kristjan Asllani suspended, while Stefan de Vrij starts despite a knee issue.

“Everyone in this sport is studying the type of squad that is needed, because on the one hand we must balance the books, but on the other deal with a fixture list that is more intense than ever before,” added Marotta.

“This has also prompted a remarkable increase in muscular injuries, because bodies cannot handle this type of stress.

“We require some common sense for everyone to come together and work out a more balanced fixture list.”

By the time Inter reach the Club World Cup in the summer, they will have played circa 55 matches.

“There are also traumatic injuries, because football moves much faster and with more dynamism than before. This all means we need bigger squads for the top teams, especially if we add in the international duty on top.”

Fabio Paratici is tipped to take over as the new director of sport at Milan next season. What effect will it have on Marotta to see his former Juventus colleague on the other side of the city?

“No effect. I don’t know what is going on there, Milan will decide,” shrugged Marotta.