Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has responded to comments made by AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni about Milan being the only true club in the city. Marotta, speaking after receiving the ‘Nils Liedholm 2024’ award, addressed several topics including Inter’s current form and objectives.
On Inter’s performance, Marotta stated, “Our Champions League performances have been very respectable. In the league, we’re one point off the top. Last year we were the hunters for the first part of the season with Juventus as the hare. Now Napoli is ahead, but what’s changed is there’s a group of teams deserving of the top positions. The season is very long with many games and points to play for. It’s important to stay close to the top, with January and February being decisive months.”
Marotta offered a diplomatic yet pointed response to Scaroni’s claim of Milan being the only true club in the city: “It depends on the point of view. If the only team in Milan is represented by him, perhaps we represent something superior. I don’t want to create controversy, he’s a friend. Everyone promotes their own club as the best. We have two stars on our badge, and I hope Milan can reach their second star as soon as possible.”
Regarding Champions League ambitions, he remarked, “A great team must fully respond to all competitions it participates in; there’s no distinction between the league and Champions League. We must be protagonists until the end in all competitions.”
On recent comments by former Inter coach Antonio Conte criticizing VAR decisions, Marotta downplayed the issue: “With technology, the situation improves and errors decrease. Conte is an intelligent person and a great communicator; he’ll have his own objective when he speaks. The referee was close to the action; there was definitely contact and the foot was moved – for me it was a penalty. If we need to debate on better use of VAR, that’s part of a constructive discussion that should happen within the football system.”
When asked about potential activity in the January transfer market, he said, “I don’t think we’ll be active. We have a competitive squad for our objectives and a team of great value.”
