Marotta: ‘Bastoni will stay at Inter, Champions League is a dream’

Inter President Beppe Marotta speaks about his Champions League ambitions and insists Alessandro Bastoni ‘will stay’ after Barcelona interest.

The chief sat down with DAZN after winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia Double this season under new coach Cristian Chivu.

He is looking to the future, which includes an improved contract for the tactician, but also building on the existing squad.

“This team has a solid core, a real skeleton in place thanks to players who have been here for a few years,” said Marotta.

“I am talking about Lautaro Martinez, Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni, for instance. It is important now for them to transmit that winning mentality to the newcomers too.”

Considering the many rumours over the last few months that Barcelona were going all-in for Bastoni, does this mean the Italy international is going to stay at San Siro?

“I think so. We in general are not a selling club, so if a player does leave, it is because he expressed the desire to move on,” replied Marotta.

“I have to say that Bastoni has absolutely not expressed the desire to leave. He is happy here, we do not need to sell, so I think he will stay with us.”

Inter struggled in the Champions League this season, having lost two Finals in the previous three years to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

“The Scudetto as Inter President was a dream, but that is when you need to dream up new dreams. We want to achieve something special in Europe next season.

“In sport you must be ambitious without being arrogant, so we’ll raise the bar a little bit more. The Champions League is a dream because I have respect for our opponents, an objective as a manager who has to set the tone for the team.

“We want to get back into the Final for the third time and hopefully after I lost four Finals in my career, the players can give me this gift of the Champions League. I hope to lift that trophy before I retire.”