Ex-Inter President Massimo Moratti: “Didn’t Expect To Lose Europa League Final, Little Hope Conte Stays” | OneFootball

Former Inter president and owner Massimo Moratti has revealed that he was not expecting Inter to be beaten in the Europa League final against Sevilla this past Friday.

“To be honest I wasn’t expecting it. We were all confident, Inter had shown strength, consistency and character and all that bodes well for a final,” he remarked in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Il Giornale, which appeared in today’s print edition.

“It was a difficult match against a tough opponent and the defeat is not only the fault of Inter but also due to the great merit of Sevilla who proved to be a really difficult team to face. It must also be said that the team was not very lucky in the moments that all went in favour of the Spaniards.”

He was then asked if any Inter players in particular were to blame and admitted to feeling sorry for Romelu Lukaku whose own goal proved to be the winner for Sevilla.

“I don’t feel like blaming anyone honestly, it was a stressful competition for everyone with matches so close together. There was little time to prepare and I don’t feel like blaming anyone.

“Certainly some players have not played their best match. I am so sorry for Lukaku because he will be remembered for that unfortunate moment but he still had an incredible season and also played a good match.”

Moratti was then asked what he thinks Inter must do in order to not throw away all of the progress made during this season away.

“The season remains very positive and we have to wait to understand what will happen between Conte and the club. If everything goes back into place I think a few steps have been made to get back to the top and I think that with a few signings the team is ready to return to winning soon. I repeat, the starting point is excellent and a great job has been done over the years.”

Next Moratti was asked about Conte’s recent public outbursts and whether he thinks the former Italian national team boss will still be charge for next season.

“He did it more than once this year. The very fact that he repeated several times that there were problems leaves little hope that he will remain.

“Beyond his motivations, I think it is a real shame because he had worked very well and I think the club wants to follow him and please him. Maybe there are things he doesn’t like that we don’t know and everyone’s opinion must be respected. So we’ll see what happens.”

Next Moratti was asked about the controversy that always seems to surround Inter regardless of how well things may be going and whether it is wanted.

“This can be true, absolutely. Inter have always been the least institutional of all the other clubs and are more easily attacked. Then sometimes you get hurt even by yourself but this characteristic of the club is what makes the fans even more affectionate.”

He was then asked if Max Allegri would be the right man to succeed current Inter manager Antonio Conte if he is to leave Inter.

“I don’t know how to judge this moment. Allegri is definitely a good coach, a decent person and could be the right man if Conte leaves but there are also other good ones around. I don’t want to put myself in the shoes of the president who will have to choose the replacement.”

In conclusion he was asked about the ongoing media speculation regarding Barcel0na captain Lionel Messi, who has been heavily linked with a potential move to Inter, among other clubs.

“It seems like something is well underway, even Suning has advertised it on their television channel with Messi projected in beautiful style on the Duomo.

“There is this question of the apartments bought by his father in Milan and his alleged desire to change scenery and all this suggests that this dream may actually become a reality.

“Some time ago I said that with Suning it was possible because they have the economic strength to be able to bring him to Inter, but then there are other issues related to the budgets. I repeat, from what I read and hear, however, it seems that it is not all that impossible.”