Inter President Marotta: ‘Oaktree did not expect such extraordinary results’

“There are extraordinary emotions, this is the most important game of the season, so our fans are fired up for it,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“There are seven of the starting XI tonight who played in Istanbul, so they gained experience both in that Final and over the last two years in the Champions League, which helped improve their level by consistency facing strong opponents in Europe.

“That helped create belief in the team and we know that we are up against another strong opponent this evening.”

During the 2023 Final, the owners of Inter were Chinese conglomerate Suning, but in May 2024 they lost control of the club to Oaktree, which saw Marotta promoted from CEO to the role of President.

Were the American business chiefs expecting the Nerazzurri to reach another Champions League Final so soon, with a much smaller budget than Paris Saint-Germain?

“I won’t say they are amazed, but they certainly didn’t expect such extraordinary results,” confessed Marotta.

“We are happy to repay them for the faith they put in us from the start. They are ever-present, but silent, acting as a reassuring presence, but giving us the management and operational control the way it was before. All together, we achieved great results, making them and our fans very happy.”

Inter are in mourning and will be wearing black armbands tonight in honour of former President Ernesto Pellegrini.

“President Pellegrini was passionate about sport, he was a great President, but above all a great man. He was focused on helping others and I have lost a reference point as well as a friend I have had for many years,” concluded Marotta.

“We have lost one of the great directors of the past, which football is all the poorer for being without now.”