Marotta: Dumfries Was Happy to Reunite with Teammates, Mourinho Is Part of Inter's History

Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta was interviewed by Sky Sport Italia before the Champions League match against Real Madrid.

It was the night of Inter Milan's Champions League debut. The Nerazzurri traveled to the Santiago Bernabeu to begin their first match of the 2026/27 Champions League league phase. A few minutes before kickoff, Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta spoke with Sky Sport Italia.

Champions League campaign — the Nerazzurri president said: "I have said before that we have an obligation, which is to give our all. We also have a right, which is to dream. Things like this sometimes come true, so it is right to have dreams."

Speaking about the rumors linking Lautaro Martinez with Barcelona, he said: "First of all, I want to say that his behavior has been exemplary. Faced with contact from Barcelona, he showed a strong sense of belonging and rejected negotiations. We did have some communication, but there were no conditions to continue at that time. Dumfries? I saw that he was very excited when reuniting with his teammates and staff. I am happy for him because he plays for a great club, and he deserves all of this."

Speaking about the opponent, Marotta said: "We must take advantage of these absences, but all 11 players on the pitch are important and could be starters for many teams. I believe their level is higher than ours. We must face them with motivation and determination. Mourinho is a historical figure for Inter Milan. He experienced an unforgettable night here. The treble remains a lesson for all of us."

Inter Milan have also improved financially: "I think Real Madrid are stronger both competitively and in terms of revenue. With this stadium, they have further increased their income. This is the gap between Italian football and them, and we must make up for it through creativity. Inter Milan's growth trajectory has always existed, but it has also benefited from results. We have performed the best in Italy, and we are only missing the final cherry on top, which is the stadium. A stadium is a tool that can create a lot of value and increase revenue."