Giuseppe Marotta Clarifies Inter`s Transfer Strategy
Giuseppe Marotta, Inter Milan`s President and CEO, addressed transfer market speculation ahead of the match against Atalanta. Marotta first clarified comments made by Chivu regarding Davide Frattesi, insisting that the criticism was not directed at the player`s behavior, which he described as “exemplary” throughout his career.
Marotta acknowledged that players who lack consistent playing time may naturally look for alternatives, but confirmed that Frattesi has not requested a departure. He emphasized the quality of the midfielder: “Frattesi is certainly an excellent player.”
Crucially, Marotta dismissed rumors linking Inter to Marco Palestra following Denzel Dumfries` injury:
“I can categorically rule out Palestra. It is an oversimplification to think that one player could decide the outcome of a season, but we will evaluate the situation. Although he is an excellent player, Palestra is not a target. It is pointless to pursue avenues that lead nowhere. We know this is a poor transfer market, but we will try to understand if we can add anything.”
Luca Percassi on Interest in Palestra
Luca Percassi, CEO of Atalanta, also commented on Marco Palestra. He stated that the player`s future “is not currently on the agenda.” Percassi noted that due to Palestra`s age and performances, it is natural that he is highly sought after. He praised the player as an example of Atalanta`s youth sector success.
Percassi confirmed that while they would evaluate any concrete offer, “at the moment, there is nothing.”
Coach Reflects on Injury Woes and Performance Levels
Following a recent draw against Sassuolo, the coach discussed the challenges facing his team. He attributed the struggles to a combination of factors, primarily the absence of key players due to injury (including Skorupski, Heggem, Bernardeschi, Freuler, and Cambiaghi). While the team has managed to secure wins without them, the missing players are weighing heavily on performance.
The coach stressed the urgency of raising performance levels ahead of a demanding January schedule. Despite conceding clear scoring opportunities to the opposition, he was satisfied that his team maintained possession throughout the match.
He concluded that the current issue is a lack of clinical finishing and focus in front of goal, expressing confidence that their sharpness will return if the team continues to play with the same commitment.
