Marotta: "Inter want to be among leading teams in Champions League"

Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta says that the Nerazzurri want to be “among the leading teams” in the Champions League.

Speaking to reporters, via FCInterNews, Marotta gave his thoughts on his team’s European ambitions ahead of Wednesday’s big showdown with Arsenal.

In recent years, Inter have grown into a formidable force in the Champions League.

The Nerazzurri had struggled to really make their mark in Europe’s top club competition after the high point that was winning the whole thing in the 2009-10 season as part of a European Treble.

But in every season since 2021-22 Inter have reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

And in the 2022-23 campaign, the Nerazzurri went as far as the final of the competition. There, they only narrowly lost 0-1 against Manchester City.

In some ways, it is a testament to how far Inter have come in Europe that when they went out to Atletico Madrid in the round of sixteen last campaign, it came as a big disappointment and even a surprise.

Across three matches in the “league phase” of this season’s newly-revamped Champions League, Inter have yet to lose or concede a goal.

The Nerazzurri began their campaign in the competition with a hard-fought draw away to City, the team that beat them in the final in 2023.

And then a 4-0 thrashing of Red Star Belgrade followed.

Inter left it late against Young Boys. They needed a stoppage time goal from Marcus Thuram to take three points against the Swiss side.

And now this week, Inter will host another Premier League juggernaut, in the form of Arsenal.

And Inter’s President Marotta insisted that “Inter want to play a leading role” in the Champions League.

“You always have to try and give your best in all competitions at this club,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marotta also gave his thoughts on the tough run of fixtures Inter have been in the midst of since the October international break.

“Clearly when you have a run like this, it uses up a huge amount of energy.”

“So there’s no doubt that a certain drop in the level can come with that,” the Inter President admitted.

“But it’s up to the coach to manage that,” Marotta said.

“And he’s doing a great job of that. Particularly in terms of motivating the players.”

“He’s maintaining a determined approach across all the matches,” the Nerazzurri President praised his coach Simone Inzaghi. “Because all opposition are formidable.”