Inter director Beppe Marotta has confirmed that the club will extending the contract of Marcelo Brozovic while Lautaro Martinez needs the team and the coach to support him. Marotta was speaking to Sky Sport after the clubs 2-0 loss against Sassuolo, their second in as many games following a defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
There are moments in life and the sport when you need to be aware of suffering. This is that moment for us now.
We must have the strength and the determination to continue what we’ve done, working even harder. We need trust as a result of what we’ve done this season. Our position in the table is important and I remember that we have a game in hand. We won the Supercoppa and we’ve played spectacular football.
Inter don’t want excuses, but we knew we would have faced many strong opponents. We played nine games against top teams since the start of the year and we knew that January and February would have been the most difficult months.
This is no excuse. We need to be aware that we must face the remainder of the season as protagonists. That’s our role. We need to work hard with self-confidence, knowing that this season is a race that will be decided at the last kilometre.”
On Inzaghi
Marotta was asked about coach Simone Inzaghi in terms of the results and work rate he brings to the club
He is a great professional, very prepared. He is doing what he’s been asked.
“Yesterday’s defeat was deserved and must give us the motivation to see what didn’t work, with awareness and self-belief. This credibility is given by the coach. The team has clear targets. We are the defending champions and we must aim for the Scudetto and the second star.”
On Players
Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez extended his contract with the club until 2026, but has failed to find the net in 13 games.
I repeat what Simone said after the game. Highs and lows are a normal thing for a striker. Lautaro put in the right commitment day in, day out. He is missing the goal, which is the most important thing. It’s a temporary thing and it’s up to the team and the coach to support him. Hopefully, he will return to scoring and be the young champion everyone knows.”
Marcelo Brozovic was recently linked with a move to Liverpool but Marotta confirmed that the player has already agreed to sign a contract extension with the club.
Today, we have the awareness that the club and the player want to continue together. This means that in the next few days, maybe in a week, he will surely sign a contract extension.”
By contrast, Ivan Perisic and Handanovic will see their contract expires in June, but are Inter looking to renew either?
“We’re lucky to have great professionals like them in the team. They must be admired for what they do every day, the same goes for Andrea Ranocchia and many others. I’ve already spoken about the team’s strengths. Perisic and Handanovic are two professionals, we want to open talks quickly. They deserve to be confirmed and we’ll have to sit down together because they’ve proved that they deserve this shirt.”
Image from Inter.it
