Marotta: ‘Atalanta not outsiders, Inter didn’t mock Milan with gift’ | OneFootball

Inter President Beppe Marotta insists Atalanta are ‘no longer to be considered outsiders’ for Supercoppa silverware and denies mocking Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a gift.

It kicks off at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh at 19.00 GMT.

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

The Final Four format is confirmed, meaning this is a semi-final ahead of tomorrow’s Juventus-Milan, with the winners facing off for the trophy on Monday evening.

If they are level after 90 minutes, they go directly to a penalty shoot-out, so there will be no extra time.

“It is very important to start a new year on the right foot and Inter always want to be up there against a very strong opponent,” Marotta told Sport Mediaset.

“The history of this club and its trophy cabinet tells us that Inter must always challenge to win everything. We are participating in many different tournaments and are obliged to aim for victory.

“We’ve got to give our all, then if the others do better on the night, we will tip our hats to them. However, the history of Inter means we must target the maximum objective.”

Marotta honours Atalanta and Milan

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta during the “Panchina d’Oro” award season 2022/2023 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on January 29, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Atalanta lost 4-0 to Inter back in August, but since then went on an extraordinary 11-match winning streak that took them top the top of the Serie A table.

“Atalanta are no longer to be considered outsiders for the title chase, but a reality both in Italy and in Europe built over the years. The club, the coach and players are all strong elements behind that growth.”

There has been criticism of the fact the Supercoppa Italiana is hosted by Saudi Arabia, just as with the Spanish edition of this Final Four format.

“Football and sport represent a resource and heritage of Italy, so representing our country in Saudi Arabia is something to be proud of,” assured Marotta.

“It will be an advert for our football movement.”

Marotta also gifted Milan special advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic with an Inter jersey that had the two stars on it, highlighting that the Nerazzurri beat their local rivals to the 20th Serie A title.

“All the clubs were represented visiting the Italian ambassador and we all exchanged shirts, but you in the media focused only on the Inter-Milan exchange. It was a nice thing. We were joking because we were standing there for a long time waiting for all the photographs to be taken.”