Inter Milan President Backs Napoli As Scudetto Favourites & Responds To Rumours Linking Club With Italy Starlet

Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has labelled Napoli as the clear Scudetto favourites, while also addressing speculation surrounding Marco Palestra and the club’s January market plans ahead of the clash with Atalanta.

Speaking to DAZN before kick-off in Bergamo, Marotta reflected on a fan poll in which 66% of supporters rated Inter’s 2025 positively.

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“I’m pleased,” he said. “It’s a sign of appreciation for the work carried out by the entire club, both on the corporate and sporting side. We’ve closed the accounts in an important way, and this kind of recognition flatters us all.”

Marotta Claims Napoli Scudetto Favourites & Rules Out Palestra Move To Inter

CAGLIARI, ITALY – NOVEMBER 22: Marco Palestra of Cagliari and Vitinha of Genoa compete during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Sant’Elia on November 22, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Asked to respond to comments from Antonio Conte, Marotta avoided controversy.

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“The question tempts me, but given the Christmas period I don’t want to get into polemics,” he explained.

“Conte is a good coach and a good communicator. Napoli remain clearly the favourites for me. They are the reigning champions, they kept the core of last season’s squad and strengthened it with significant investment. They also have technical continuity, being the only one of the top four to keep the same coach. We have changed our model by investing in young players. We’ll fight to the end, but Napoli remain serious candidates for the title, without polemics.”

Marotta also clarified recent remarks by Cristian Chivu regarding Davide Frattesi.

“Frattesi’s behaviour over the years has always been excellent,” he said.

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“The coach’s words may have been about evaluating alternatives for a player who isn’t playing much. We don’t want to hold anyone against their will, but Frattesi has not expressed a desire to leave. We’re only at the beginning. We’ll speak with him. He’s a serious professional and a good player.”

Finally, Marotta addressed right-flank rumours and dismissed a specific name. “It’s reductive to think one player can determine a whole season,” he said.

“We won’t leave anything untried. Together with Piero Ausilio and Dario Baccin we’ll see what the market offers. But I can rule out Marco Palestra as a target. He’s an Atalanta player, so there’s no point chasing objectives that lead nowhere. The market is poor, but we have a duty to see whether we can add something to a squad that already shows it is up to the task.”