Inter President Beppe Marotta tries to temper Champions League ambition, but warns they need to start ‘getting points in the bag’ against Club Brugge this evening.
It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
The Nerazzurri started their Champions League campaign with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, where they were made to pay a heavy price for individual errors.
They hope to be more focused this evening when hosting reigning Champions of Belgium Club Brugge, who in turn lost 3-2 to Aston Villa.
Inter have Champions League dream
“It is very important to make the most of home advantage in these fixtures,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
“We need to start getting some points in the bag, seeing as despite a strong performance in Madrid, we emerged empty-handed. A strong start at home is important and we need the utmost determination as well as quality.”
Inter are coming off the Domestic Double last season, winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, but the Champions League remains their dream after losing two Finals in the last four years.
“To be realistic, I say our duty is to give our all in this competition and play to the end. That means taking it one game at a time, and in the Champions League every game is difficult, starting with tonight,” added the President.
“I feel that is the way we need to interpret our approach to the Champions League.”
Curtis Jones and John Stones are still on the treatment table and miss out, but Hakan Calhanoglu and Federico Dimarco made their return at the weekend in a 3-0 Serie A victory over Parma after missing international duty.
Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Akanji were rested on Saturday, but there is still no room for Aleksandar Stankovic, who played for Club Brugge last season.
San Siro lights up for these nights, but it won’t do for much longer, because Milan and Inter got the all-clear to begin construction on a new stadium right next to the current arena.
Marotta was asked if it might not have been more financially viable for Inter and Milan to split up, building one new stadium each?
“It would’ve been very difficult for us to both build a new stadium each, as finding the suitable zone is tricky. We could also not revitalise San Siro because we needed to continue playing during the process of construction.
“I do feel it is a useful synergy for the two biggest clubs in the city to work together and ultimately both benefit from the arrangement.”