Marotta and Inter hit back at ‘confused and disrespectful’ Milan chief | OneFootball

Inter President Beppe Marotta hit back at ‘confused and disrespectful’ Milan patron Gerry Cardinale for suggestions the club ‘went bankrupt’ when winning the Scudetto.

The match with Como kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Fiorentina-Udinese on the Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri are feeling the pressure, as they need a fourth consecutive Serie A victory to keep up with Atalanta and Napoli going into Christmas, even though they have a game in hand.

“I did not expect this situation, but that’s the joy of this league, Serie A is more competitive compared to many other tournaments around Europe,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“However, it is still early days, perhaps later on there will be a clearer situation at the top. Now we are seeing a lot of teams crammed together in only a few points.”

There are some injury worries focused in defence, as Matteo Darmian, Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbi are out of action, with Stefan de Vrij only fit for the bench.

It means Alessandro Bastoni must shift to the centre of the back three, with Yann Bisseck on the right and Carlos Augusto the left.

“I don’t think we will make any new signings in January, because we have a competitive squad that is suited to our objectives,” noted Marotta.

“Seeing as we are Inter and have a certain quality level, I feel we won’t do anything because this squad gives guarantees for the future.”

There were reports that coach Simone Inzaghi was already being offered another new contract to extend his Inter stay.

“His results speak for him. Inzaghi settled in very well at the club and proved himself a great professional. I hope and am convinced this marriage can be a long one,” added Marotta.

Marotta fires back at Milan patron Cardinale

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 03: Gerry Cardinale of AC Milan looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 03, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The President was asked about the comments Milan owner Cardinale made this week, when he suggested that Inter won the Scudetto at the cost of ‘going bankrupt’ – referring to the fact Suning failed to repay a loan to Oaktree.

“I did not want to comment, but now I feel it is my duty to respond,” opened Marotta.

“These are affirmations that are out of place, showing a lack of respect for the prestige and image of the club. I think Cardinale got a bit confused.

“It’s true that in previous years our majority shareholder had some financial difficulties, but they were already accompanied by Oaktree – who today own the club and set the guidelines going forward.

“The way Inter have been run is completely different. We stick to Financial Fair Play guidelines, the national licences that are very rigid on economic criteria too, and have gone from losses of €246m to last year only €46m, in a season where we also won the Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana.

“Seeing as we are at Christmas, let us also point out that we are the only club in the city of Milan to have two stars on our jerseys.”

A star is permanently given to each club that earns 10 Serie A titles, so while Inter are now on 20, Milan remain on 19.