Inter CEO Beppe Marotta confirms that the club are in talks with Milan Skriniar over a new contract but won’t be drawn on talks over a potential club sale. The Nerazzurri face Viktoria Plzen this afternoon, knowing that a draw would be enough to see them qualify from their Champions League group to the last 16. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia ahead of the game, Marotta was adamant that his team can make it through to the next round:
It is a group that has been working together for 3-4 years, it would be an important test at European level. It would be a great result to qualify this year. We realized that this is a group that could improve, the coach found the soul of the team, compactness, motivation, security. We are back to the Inter standard.
Had we foreseen relegation to the Europa League in the financial statements we had ? Very true, it was an obviously prudent prediction. That’s right. But there was certainly a willingness to complete the group, but after the draw, there were increased difficulties, we can now deservedly obtain it though.”
The four years of the Zhang presidency? For me, a beautiful experience, coming to Milan is a dream for a sports manager. It was a path full of difficulties, at the beginning of the journey, he (Zhang) lavished a lot of financial energy. Do we hear from Zhang Jindong every now and then? He is very much an Inter fan and very passionate about football. He watches all the games. But in the meantime Steven Zhang has also grown a lot in management, his presence near us is very important.
Skriniar renewal? The transition to the round of 16 has nothing to do with it, they are 2 distinct things. First of all, Skriniar deserves a renewal, then we hope for him to become Inter’s point of reference for the present and the future. I am optimistic by nature, I hope to get to a definition as soon as possible.
It is one thing to aim for qualification, which brings economic benefits and satisfaction to the club, it’s another thing to sit with Skriniar and discuss the renewal. He deserves it, he could be the future of this team.
The club meeting? The meeting is a moment for discussions with small shareholders, it will be a beautiful moment, many topics will be addressed. A sacred moment for me and for everyone. Will we talk about the sale of Inter? These are questions to ask Steven Zhang, I believe that we can safely go on with him.”
