Inter Milan President Calls Derby D’Italia ‘An Event Of International Importance’ & Aims Dig At Juventus

Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta feels that the Derby d’Italia between the Nerazzurri and Juventus is “an event of international importance.”

Marotta spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, ahead of this evening’s Serie A clash. He also aimed a dig at Bianconeri coach Thiago Motta for downplaying title talk.

Marotta has now experienced plenty of matches between Inter and Juventus.

And he has done so on both sides of the fixture.

Marotta has been at the helm of both the Bianconeri and the Nerazzurri. He has enjoyed great success with both.

The veteran executive has won and lost the Derby d’Italia with both teams.

And Marotta also knows exactly how crucial the fixture can be.

In both of the occasions that Inter have won the Serie A title since his arrival, a win over Juventus has been a key stepping stone on the way to their triumph.

Inter President Marotta: “Derby D’Italia Vs Juventus An Event Of International Importance”

But beyond the title implications, the rivalry of the Derby d’Italia gives it a sense of real occasion. It has been one of Italian football’s showpiece fixtures for decades.

Innumerable big name players have worn both the Inter and Juventus shirts.

And that remains the case today.

Inter President Marotta praised the atmosphere at the San Siro ahead of this evening’s match. “It’s always extraordinary,” he said.

“This match is an event of international importance,” the Nerazzurri President declared.

“I hope it can be a positive advertisement for football,” Marotta said.

The Inter President said that “Clearly this is the Derby of Italy, Juve are an historic rival that we must face with respect and ambition.”

“That has to be our spirit,” Marotta said.

Marotta Aims Dig At Motta & Juventus

In response to Juventus coach Thiago Motta downplaying title talk and declaring Inter and even Napoli favourites for the title ahead of the Bianconeri, Marotta suggested otherwise.

“Juve, Milan, Inter, not to mention Napoli and Roma, are all obligated to win,” insisted the Inter President.

“And then clearly when one wins, the others must lose.”

“Juve are not Borgorosso,” Marotta said. He was referring to a 1970 film about a small club’s ups and downs.

“So they have to get the best out of every competition.”

“They’re not the favourites, but they’re certainly one of the favourites,” Marotta said of the Bianconeri.

And Marotta also weighed in on the injuries that Inter have been dealing with.

“This is a season with a truly remarkable level of congestion of the fixture list, unlike ever before,” said the Inter President.

“The previous season ended in mid-July,” he said, taking into account internatio0nal tournaments.

“Lautaro arrived in preseason just before the match against Genoa,” Marotta noted.

“The matches all come very close together, it’s not easy to manage them all,” he rued.

“We have to find a solution to this, over the last international break there were a hundred injuries. That’s a very high number.”

“Nowadays we play faster,” Marotta noted. “There’s more pressing. It’s an extraordinary expenditure of energy.”