Inter president Beppe Marotta spoke before the club's Champions League game against Feyenoord on 3 November in Rotterdam, addressing the team's European campaign, the derby defeat, contract issues and Mauro Icardi. The match was set to take place at the Stadion De Kuip in Rotterdam at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
Champions League message
Marotta said: "We learned from the mistakes made along the way, so we hope to eventually climb this mountain that is filled with obstacles and hidden dangers."
Football Italia reported that Inter had defeats to Real Madrid and Club Brugge in the Champions League before a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk when down to 10 men.
Derby defeat and league data
Inter lost the Derby della Madonnina 3-1 to Milan on Saturday evening.
Marotta said: "We can win or lose, but I want to point out Inter lost only three of the last 40 Serie A matches, and those were all against Milan."
Contracts and Dimarco
Football Italia reported that Inter activated the clause to extend Federico Dimarco's contract by one season.
Marotta said: "The only player whose contract is running down is Calhanoglu, but we have a very good rapport with him. Dimarco is a pure Inter fan, we exercised this option to extend for a year and during the next few months we’ll be able to discuss a further extension, because he confirmed his desire to stay, and we want him to continue too. A sense of belonging is very important."
Icardi and the striker situation
Football Italia reported that Inter had a striker shortage because a flu bug swept through the squad and took out Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny in the derby, while Lautaro Martinez was injured. Football Italia reported that Marcus Thuram was left as the only forward.
Asked about Icardi, Marotta said: "I don’t know who he proposed himself to, but we didn’t hear anything about it."
Marotta also said: "This is a player who gave a lot to Inter, but honestly, he is not part of our plans, just as we are not looking for a fifth striker. It was a fluke that the absences were all in the same area of the team, but we have no problem with goals, as we are one of the most prolific sides in Italy."
Marotta said: "Cristian Chivu is a modern coach who knows how to get the best out of players."
