Marotta: ‘The 16 points between Inter and Milan won’t count’ | OneFootball

Inter President Beppe Marotta warns the ’16 points between us won’t count when we step onto that pitch’ for the Derby della Madonnina against Milan.

It kicks off at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, in the San Siro area of Milan, at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri suffered only one Serie A defeat all season and that was against Milan back in September, but they also fumbled a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 in the Supercoppa Italiana Final in Riyadh on January 6.

It is a surprising turnaround, considering before that Inter had won the last six editions of the Derby della Madonnina, but now lost two on the bounce.

“The flavour of a derby is very different to any other match. The table doesn’t count at this stage, the 16 points between us are in theory only on paper, but we have determination, want not only to make up for those two defeats, but also to bring home the three points,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“I saw the players and coach all very concentrated and we are all aware that we play an important role here.”

Inter feeling strain of packed fixture list

epa11837467 Players of Inter greet their supporters after winning the Italian Serie A soccer match between FC Inter and Empoli FC, in Milan, Italy, 19 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI

Simone Inzaghi said in his press conference yesterday that the packed fixture list is going to make it practically impossible to work with his squad in training.

“It has been a truly exasperated stress on all the clubs in various competitions for a few years now, especially those who also have players on international duty. We all hope for reforms, both at club and international level, but when you consider Inter and Juventus are going to be in the Club World Cup this summer too, it shows the stress on the players really is too elevated.

“The derby is a different game to all the others, so there can be no lack of motivation here. The 16 points between us won’t count when we step onto that pitch and that should push the players on to give their all.”

Hakan Calhanoglu has not been in the starting XI for Inter since that Supercoppa Italiana Final against Milan on January 6, so this is the return for the Turkish midfielder against his former club.

“He is fit, but has not started the last six games, so is obviously lacking that kind of match fitness you can only get by playing. He is still a very important figure for us,” concluded Marotta.

The loan with option to buy swoop for Nicola Zalewski was completed from Roma last night, just in time to have him on the bench.