Marotta: Ambition without Arrogance for Inter, but That Como Penalty...

Beppe Marotta appreciates Cristian Chivu's humorous remark, stating that Inter Milan must be "ambitious without being arrogant." He also expressed relief that the controversial penalty awarded to Como was not decisive in the match's outcome.

The Nerazzurri have extended their lead at the top of Serie A to nine points following their dramatic comeback victory against Como. Despite trailing 2-0, Inter secured a thrilling 4-3 win at the Stadio Sinigaglia.

Inter's Thrilling Victory Sets Scudetto Benchmark

Speaking to reporters after a Lega Serie A meeting, Marotta described the Como vs. Inter match as "a wonderful advertisement for Italian football." He believes Inter's victory was deserved, highlighting the team's quality and their assertion as protagonists this season.

When asked about the title race, Chivu, in a veiled reference to Napoli's Antonio Conte and Milan's Max Allegri, humorously suggested that Champions League qualification would be the only stated objective, a common tactic in Italian football. Marotta interpreted this joke as a reflection of a general reluctance to set bold targets in Italy.

"Instead, Inter must be courageous and always aim for the maximum result," Marotta stated. "This is part of the DNA of a winning club; we must be ambitious without being arrogant."

The match became tense when Lucas Da Cunha converted a late penalty for Como, bringing them back into the game at 4-2, though the scoreline was ultimately 4-3. The penalty decision itself sparked controversy. Initially, a free kick was awarded for a sliding block by Ange-Yoan Bonny on Nico Paz near the edge of the box. However, VAR intervened, indicating the contact was inside the penalty area.

Many refereeing analysts pointed out that VAR should have prompted the referee to review the incident on the monitor. The follow-through from Nico Paz's kick appeared to have caught Bonny, rather than the other way around, raising questions about the initial penalty call.

"I think everyone agreed that was not a penalty," Marotta commented. "We didn't get upset because we won anyway, but imagine what would've happened if that penalty had led to a different result." He added that while mistakes are part of a campaign, this season has seen an unusual number. Marotta hopes this prompts reflection on improving the synergy between VAR and referees.

English Translation

Beppe Marotta delighted in Cristian Chivu’s joke because Inter must be ‘ambitious without being arrogant,’ but daren’t imagine the controversy if that Como penalty had been decisive.

The Nerazzurri extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to nine points with last night’s thrilling comeback from 2-0 down at the Stadio Sinigaglia to win 4-3.

Inter Thriller Puts Scudetto Marker Down

“Como vs. Inter was first and foremost a wonderful advertisement for Italian football,” Marotta told reporters outside the Lega Serie A meeting in Milan.

“Inter deservedly won thanks to the quality expressed by a team that proved itself worthy of the role of protagonist in this season.”

When asked if the title race was over, Chivu aimed a sideswipe at Napoli’s Antonio Conte and Max Allegri of Milan by noting that, like them, he would only ever say that Champions League qualification was the real objective.

“It was a joke to show that in Italy lately there is this fear of courageous targets,” noted Marotta.

“Instead, Inter must be courageous and always aim for the maximum result. This is part of the DNA of a winning club, we must be ambitious without being arrogant.”

Inter had been leading 4-2 when Lucas Da Cunha converted a late penalty to set up a tense finale, but there was controversy around that incident.

The referee had awarded a free kick for the Ange-Yoan Bonny sliding block on Nico Paz on the edge of the area, only to be informed by VAR that the contact was inside the box.

What many refereeing pundits pointed out was that VAR should also have sent the referee to view it again on the monitor, because it was Nico Paz who on the follow-through kicked Bonny rather than the other way round.

“I think everyone agreed that was not a penalty, and we didn’t get upset because we won anyway, but imagine what would’ve happened if that penalty had led to a different result,” said Marotta.

“We’d be here recriminating. There are mistakes over the course of a campaign, and this season there seem to be quite a lot more than usual. I hope it can push people to reflect on creating a symbiosis between the VAR and referee.”