Inter CEO Beppe Marotta believes coach Simone Inzaghi has a great career ahead of him, having led Inter to two trophies and a Champions League final. The Nerazzurri director was speaking with Sky Sport Italia yesterday, ahead of this evenings final in Istanbul, and touched on the importance Inzaghi has played on their season, and explained why he believes that the team that spends the most money, doesn’t always win:
“Will we sleep? We are immune by now… It is an extraordinary event but there is the right emotion. The team trained at the stadium also to touch the grass that will play on tomorrow, it was an approach to tomorrow night. Not all the players have experienced the excitement of a game of this level but it doesn’t scare me: the coach is experienced and they are professionals, the excitement will last the time to get to the stadium then everything is forgotten and the team will play its game.”
Is there something extra in the stomach as excitement?
“There is always a lot of emotion, anyone who is in football knows that this is the most important match of the season. This is Inter’s sixth final in this tournament, where it has been missing for 13 years: we will be in history beyond the result, but wanting to be protagonists let’s imagine what the result can be. We have a dream ahead of us, hopefully it can become reality.”
But is the difference between winning the Champions League and finishing second only four million euros?
“Yes, because several factors are taken into account such as the market pool of the nations. Clearly there are factors that should be calculated at the end of the game. The difference is not big but there is that intangible prestige part that brings great benefits. And then winning leads to bestowing rewards on our players.”
How much pride is there as a club for winning two trophies and a Champions League final in a year where there was talk of financial constraints?
“For a manager, pride is a lot, but thanks must be combined with thanks to the technical side, from Piero Ausilio to Javier Zanetti, and the corporate side that supported the activities of the camp. The logic of ‘the one who spends the most wins’ is not true, in sports there are values that have led us to be here tonight. Great credit is due to a young coach like Simone Inzaghi who has a path full of successes ahead of him and deserves special mention. And then, of the players who have improved their technical performance, motivation and experience, which is crucial in certain fixtures.”
If you were a coach, would you already have the starting lineup in mind?
“Fortunately, I don’t coach, these are Inzaghi’s choices but I think he is very decisive. However, it is said that doubt is the pillow of the wise, and wise people must have doubts. Then we have a group made up of a set of players of equal value between starters and co-owners, over the course of a 100-minute game it’s only fair that everyone should be considered because they can be protagonists.”
Will you say anything to the team?
“No, Inzaghi will take care of that.”
And to the fans?
“I thank them because again this year we have reached a record attendance. We hear them at San Siro and we will hear them tomorrow, hopefully our dream can become reality.”
