Inter President Beppe Marotta will not shy away from ambition to retain the Serie A title this season as they visit on-form Fiorentina, but responds to transfer speculation.
It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 17.00 GMT.
This is a big game for the Scudetto race, because going into this weekend there were five teams crammed within a one-point radius, while this afternoon Lazio lost 3-1 away to Parma and Napoli beat Torino 1-0 to retain top spot.
“I wouldn’t call this a Scudetto match, as it is too early, but the points will be fundamental and it is an important test against a side that fully deserves to be second in the table,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
Marotta’s Inter aim to retain title
While Antonio Conte and Thiago Motta have been eager at Napoli and Juventus to insist they are not aiming for the Serie A title, Marotta will not do the same at Inter.
“I represent a big club and that comes with the responsibility of being considered among the favourites, even more so when we are the reigning Champions of Italy. We are also well aware there are strong competitors, first and foremost Napoli who are proving so far that they deserve to be top of the table.
“The great joy of Serie A is that it is very open, there are many clubs who can aim for the title and we intend to challenge to the very end.”
There were reports during the last few days that Inter could be interested in Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marco Verratti for next season.
“Big clubs are always linked with players who could be free agents at the end of the season. We have a competitive squad right now that suits our objectives, so we have no particular need to look for reinforcements. Having said that, we are always keeping an eye on the situations that could suit our transfer model, just as all clubs are.
“That is a very long way from saying we are in negotiations with anyone.”
