Beppe Marotta (foto: Getty Images)
Inter president Beppe Marotta criticises Giorgio Chiellini following heated derby scenes with Juventus, calling him a “young and inexperienced leader” after tunnel confrontation.
Beppe Marotta has publicly criticised former Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini following heated scenes after the latest Derby d’Italia between Inter and the Turin side.
Speaking after a Serie A meeting, the Inter president addressed controversy surrounding the recent clash, including debate over an alleged simulation by Alessandro Bastoni and a confrontation in the San Siro tunnel involving Chiellini.
Marotta first defended his player and questioned the media narrative before turning his attention to the former Juventus defender, who now holds a senior executive role at the club.
“Greeting Chiellini is the least I can do. He is a young and inexperienced leader, so I would not dare to give him advice. We had a discussion. These are dynamics that happen in the dressing room,” Marotta said.
Derby d’Italia tensions resurface
The remarks quickly sparked reaction in Italy, given Chiellini’s status as a long-serving Juventus captain and one of the most decorated defenders in Serie A history. Now part of the club’s management structure, his influence extends beyond the pitch.
The incident reportedly occurred in the tunnel after the match, where emotions remained high following contentious refereeing decisions and heated exchanges on the field.
Marotta’s comments added fuel to a rivalry that has rarely lacked intensity, both sporting and institutional.
Revisiting the 2021 controversy
The Inter president also revisited a previous flashpoint between the clubs — the 2021 encounter involving Juan Cuadrado and Ivan Perišić.
According to Marotta, what he described as Cuadrado’s simulation in that match ultimately helped Juventus secure qualification for the Champions League.
“That episode paved the way for them to reach the Champions League and brought financial benefits of between €60 and €70 million,” he said.
His statement underlines how past grievances continue to shape relations between Italy’s two most prominent clubs.
As the Serie A title race intensifies in 2025, the latest war of words suggests that the rivalry between Inter and Juventus remains as political as it is sporting.