Marotta warns: "Inter is the hare, in Florence the test that is worth the scudetto"

The top of the standings is often perceived as the safest and most desired destination, but for those who know its deeper intricacies, it is a territory exposed and full of pitfalls. This is the core of the message delivered by Giuseppe “Beppe” Marotta, president of Inter, who spoke via video link at the Milan stop of the Milano Finanza roadshow on March 19, 2026.

With a highly effective formula, Marotta summarized the title race: “Inter is the hare that is fleeing. It’s easier to be the hunter.”

The arithmetic picture favors the Nerazzurri: 68 points in 29 matches and a margin over Milan, which is stuck at 60. With nine matches to go, the scudetto is close, but the summit offers no discounts or pauses.

On a mental level, those who chase can afford calculated risks, live under different pressure, and wait to capitalize on any missteps from those in the lead. For the “hare,” however, the traps are threefold: the emotional management of the lead, the certainty that every mistake weighs double, and the obligation to protect the group from premature euphoria.

The tension of the race is palpable, especially in light of the derby on March 8, 2026, lost 1-0 against their rivals from Milan: a stumble that has slowed Inter's march and psychologically reopened a challenge that seemed to be on track.

Now the calendar presents a maturity test in the 30th matchday: the difficult evening away match against Fiorentina in the weekend of March 20-22. A victory in Florence would signal strength and control, useful for repelling the assault from Milan (who will be facing Torino) and reducing maneuvering space for the pursuers.

Inzaghi's team will need to rely on their compactness, that “worker” but surgical balance that has so far produced 65 goals and only 23 goals conceded.

However, the president's words go beyond the confines of the pitch and are rooted in the philosophy of the new governance, which came under the control of Oaktree Capital Management in June 2024. Marotta's leadership — strengthened in August 2025 with the personal acquisition of a stake close to 2% of the club — is based on precise cornerstones: stability, financial rigor, and long-term sustainability.