Beppe Marotta admits he is in ‘almost the exact same situation’ at Inter as when he started the Juventus dominance, including the influence of Antonio Conte’s ‘leadership. Everyone followed his credo.’
The trip to Crotone kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
Beppe Marotta admits he is in ‘almost the exact same situation’ at Inter as when he started the Juventus dominance, including the influence of Antonio Conte’s ‘leadership. Everyone followed his credo.’
The trip to Crotone kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
The Nerazzurri will be crowned Champions of Italy if they beat Crotone today and Atalanta fail to pick up three points against Sassuolo on Sunday.
“The sensations are positive, but we haven’t achieved anything yet. We have to pass yet another test, which might seem easy only on paper, because Crotone are motivated to prove themselves,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
President Steven Zhang flew in this week for the first time in several months to give his support and of course discuss the financial restructuring of the club.
“Our President returned thanks to this apparent post-COVID period so he could experience the end of the season with us and, when the time comes, talk about the future.
“Right now we are all focused on this game. He found a staff that was united, concentrated and ready to face every challenge.”
Conte started the nine-year winning streak at Juventus and is about to end it as the coach of Inter. Does Marotta, who was part of that project, see similarities?
“It is always difficult to win. I remember 10 years ago we started with President Andrea Agnelli and a club that had struggled in the preceding years. Now we are in almost the same exact situation, which is that Conte deserves credit for making the most of the players at his disposal.
“We know that we are close, but have not yet achieved our target, so there is the right level of tension and focus.”
Considering talk of another revolution at Juventus and the return of Max Allegri, could Marotta come back to Turin too?
“No. I was invited to join Juventus and open a new era. I would like to open a new era here too. We have laid some good foundations and it would be wonderful to continue, regardless of the fact we all unfortunately have to deal with the financial effects of the pandemic that have stalled the growth process.”
It was pointed out to Marotta that this season Inter have seen very few of the usual leaks from locker room tension. Were there no problems or did Inter simply learn to keep a lid on it?
“These are serious professionals. I have to say we haven’t had any particular issues this season or the last. Conte’s job was difficult, but his leadership was felt and everyone followed the credo of this coach. So if there had been a ‘bad apple,’ he would’ve been singled out by the squad even before the club and coach.
“These players are showing great commitment to the club, very few of them have won silverware, so it is a great professional achievement for them too and one they didn’t expect to reach so quickly.”