Inter director Beppe Marotta insists Antonio Conte’s ‘decisions are incontestable’ after half-fit Nicolò Barella was preferred to Christian Eriksen against Shakhtar Donetsk.
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“Our objective is to keep growing and playing for qualification in the last game shows our improvement from last season,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
Inter director Beppe Marotta insists Antonio Conte’s ‘decisions are incontestable’ after half-fit Nicolò Barella was preferred to Christian Eriksen against Shakhtar Donetsk.
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“Our objective is to keep growing and playing for qualification in the last game shows our improvement from last season,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
Barella is in the starting XI despite an ankle injury, so is Antonio Conte really so against Christian Eriksen that he’d rather use a half-fit Barella?
“I say that when a player is fielded, he is always in the best condition to give what is asked of him, so Barella is more than ready for this match.
“The questions on Eriksen are getting a bit irritating, we have already said many times that the players who start are just as important as those who come off the bench to contribute.
“Conte makes his decisions in the interests of the players and the club. So full respect for Eriksen, but Conte’s decisions are incontestable.”
If Inter are irritated at the questions on Eriksen, then the media are getting tired of Conte talking about a ‘process’ when he has probably the most strength in depth of any Serie A side.
“Absolutely, I am simply saying that this era began with the arrival of Conte and new players. There’s a series of situations that have perhaps slowed the evolution more compared to clubs who are more consolidated. We are competitive, we won’t deny that, but it’s never easy to achieve exponentially improving results.”
Marotta was asked if the Nerazzurri will improve their squad during the January transfer window.
“This is the squad, it’s not easy to find players suited to our requirements in January who can give us a genuine step up in quality. There is also the current economic situation which makes thinking of some transfers is impossible.
“We must do well to take the opportunities as they arise and I can assure you we are keeping a close eye on the situation.”