Marotta: ‘Inter obliged to go for maximum in Italy and Europe’

President Beppe Marotta reiterates that ‘a club like Inter cannot settle for less’ than challenging to win the Serie A title and the Champions League as they visit Lazio this evening.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The mood in the Nerazzurri camp was disappointed after the midweek Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen, only their second defeat of the season after the Milan Derby in Serie A.

They rested several players for that match and were accused of lacking ambition in seemingly settling for a stalemate until the late goal.

Marotta keeps Inter ambition high

“This evening it is above all important to evaluate the performance. We are only 16 rounds in, so the challengers for the title remain the same as when the season began,” Marotta told DAZN.

“It is important for us to see a response, the players are aware of that and we expect a wonderful game of football.”

Inter have a game in hand and are defending the Scudetto that they won last season, but have notably beaten only Atalanta in the head-to-head clashes so far.

Considering they are the reigning title holders, must Inter aim to win the Scudetto and Champions League this season?

“It is our DNA to compete for every tournament that we are in, so naturally we will try to achieve the maximum result, therefore the Champions League Final and Scudetto. That is an obligation to go for it,” replied Marotta.

“If other teams are stronger, we will tip our hats to them, but a club like Inter cannot aim for the minimum result or settle for less.”

Lautaro Martinez has not found the net for six weeks and the frustration is starting to get to last year’s Serie A Capocannoniere.

“The lad is naturally suffering that he isn’t scoring as much as last season, but the team overall has rarely failed to find the net,” confessed Marotta.

“If our captain can be added to the list of scorers, then naturally it becomes easier to achieve a result.”