Marotta: "We have major targets" | OneFootball

APPIANO GENTILE - The 2026/27 season is officially under way, with the team reporting back to the Inter Training Center in Appiano Gentile to begin their summer preparations. After their triumphs in Serie A and the Coppa Italia in 2025/26, Cristian Chivu's side are now building towards their first competitive fixture of the new campaign, at home to Monza on Saturday 22 August at 18:30 CEST. President and CEO Giuseppe Marotta joined Chivu to speak to the media at the traditional start-of-season press conference.

Here is what President and CEO Giuseppe Marotta had to say:

"It's a privilege for us to be here and to begin a new season. We're the reigning champions and won both the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia. There's a huge sense of pride because those successes came through a culture of hard work, the coach's work and the support of the Club. I'd like to thank Javier Zanetti, Piero Ausilio, Dario Baccin, Piero Volpi's medical staff and everyone who works to support the team.

"We start again from zero and have clear objectives. We're the only Italian team competing in four competitions, with major targets ahead of us. We certainly need to perform better in the Champions League. We were knocked out last season, but that's part of the game. In the Champions League, you come up against powerhouses with enormous financial strength. We go into it with the work ethic and culture that set us apart. Spending the most doesn't automatically mean winning the most. Financial resources can be offset by a successful model and the right combination of sporting and other factors.

"No team has won back-to-back Serie A titles since 2020, so that's our objective. Winning the Scudetto again would be a historic achievement. Having spent many years in sport, I know there can be such a thing as a victory hangover. We don't want to become complacent, because complacency can stop you from making that extra effort. I'm talking about every area of the Club, not just the sporting side. We need to stay hungry.

"Our owners came in at a difficult time and have stood by us. We've come out of the settlement agreement and are now in a solid position. We're expanding our sporting facilities, with more than €100 million being invested in developments here and at Interello. We've operated within a clear framework and followed a model that can serve as a benchmark.

"Our objectives are difficult to achieve, but we don't want to put all the responsibility on the coach. What matters is giving everything. I'm sure that, thanks to the principles this team is built on and the champions we have who feel such a strong sense of belonging, we'll be able to do that. We're not hiding from our ambitions. We can't simply say that our aim is to finish in the top four. Our ambitions go beyond that.

"When I spoke about economic and financial sustainability, I was referring to sporting management. We have the four players from the youth sector that we need. It's a fundamental rule and one that also reinforces the importance of youth football and the Italian national team. We want to make the most of the work carried out by our youth sector. We have the U23s and are proud of the Club we represent. We have a rich honours list, but there's still something important missing and we'll try to achieve it."

What are the plans for the right flank? "We can confirm that Anan Khalaili has not been granted medical clearance. CONI has informed us that the player has not been declared eligible, which we deeply regret as the deal with Union Saint-Gilloise had already been agreed. We only received the news a few minutes ago. Italy has very strict legislation protecting players' health, with decisions made by an independent body rather than the Club's medical staff. We have to abide by this decision. We announce this with great regret and are very sorry about the news. We'll now consider the alternatives.

"As for the right flank, Dumfries chose to finish his career at Real Madrid, so we found ourselves having to deal with that situation. I'm confident we'll find a solution for that position as soon as possible. The transfer market is extremely difficult. The figures involved are incredible and have relegated Italy to a supporting role. Our owners have given us the green light to make further investments. I hope we can find a solution quickly. We know we need to complete the squad, but we can't act out of panic. Any decision has to be the result of careful work."

Will AC Milan and Juventus be your main rivals? "AC Milan and Juventus won't be competing in the UEFA Champions League this season. I point that out because we'll also be putting a lot of effort into that competition, so AC Milan and Juventus could have an advantage in the league. We know how we'll approach all four competitions, but they'll certainly be two of the title contenders."

Can Inter be more ambitious in the transfer market? "13 of the 20 Serie A clubs have foreign owners. Oaktree guarantees us continuity, and that's no small thing. Our objective is to win sustainably. For the second year running, we'll close our accounts in a healthy position, while also having won two major trophies. You need to be creative in the transfer market, but that doesn't mean the Club won't approve further investment. We have to keep a close eye on costs, particularly player wages and agents' fees. I'm delighted Inter have Chivu: he knows how to get the very best out of the players the Club puts at his disposal."

What are your plans for the transfer market? "There's still a month and a half to go until the transfer window closes, so there's no need to rush. We'll give the coach everything he needs to work in the best possible conditions. We had already reached an agreement with Atalanta for Palestra, but the player made his choice. We have the resources to invest, but every move has to make sense."