Marotta: ‘Evaluate Inzaghi’s Inter over years, not weeks’ | OneFootball

Inter President Beppe Marotta assured Simone Inzaghi is safe even if he loses the Champions League semi-final with Barcelona and the Scudetto. ‘We mustn’t evaluate him based on weeks, but on years.’

It kicks off at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET), because Camp Nou is undergoing intensive restructuring work.

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

The second leg will be at San Siro on Tuesday May 6.

The big news is the return of Marcus Thuram to the starting XI alongside Lautaro Martinez.

“They are a pair in perfect symbiosis, it’s a pity that we haven’t been able to see them together as often this season,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“Thuram isn’t at his best form right now, but his presence is important.”

Thuram returns to boost Inter

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter are trying to qualify for their second Champions League Final in just three years, having lost in 2023 to Manchester City.

“The important thing is to be present, because there are only four teams remaining in the Champions League and Inter are among them,” added Marotta.

“We do not want to be mere bit-part players, but protagonists. This is the first leg, it is important to stay in the tie and not lose our shape against a talented opponent.

“Our team is capable of putting in a fine performance.”

Marotta stands up for Inzaghi at Inter

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The mood in the Nerazzurri camp has gone from the stars to the gutter in the last couple of weeks, having lost three consecutive matches without finding the net.

It has seen them crash out of the Coppa Italia semi-final to Milan and fall three points behind new Serie A leaders Napoli.

If they do end the season empty-handed, will Inzaghi remain their coach?

“We mustn’t evaluate Inzaghi based on weeks, but on years. These have been extraordinary years for the club and the credit goes to him, so how could we give up on him?

“Everything is burned through so quickly in the football world now, but we have a solid group and his presence is a big part of that,” insisted Marotta.

Marotta looking to Inter evolution

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The focus is already moving on to next season, where Inter and Marotta are making plans on the transfer market.

“More than a revolution of the squad, I would take about evolution,” assured the President.

“This process of evolution started years ago, also taking into account the great economic difficulty we were dealing with. We had to make do with what we had, putting together a squad of great quality, starting with the coach.

“We are going into the final stage of a season where revenue has increased, which of course makes us proud, but in sport you also need to win.

“We want to invest in figures who can be important for the present and the future, but not necessarily just on free agents who have a high salary. We have solid foundations to build on,” concluded Marotta.