According to Il Mattino, Moratti spoke in an interview about having had the opportunity to take over Napoli, and assessed De Laurentiis, Internazionale, and Napoli.

Massimo Moratti said: "De Laurentiis turned a passion into a business. I could never do that, I was too weak: I could never end a transfer window without buying a big-name player. But maybe he's the one who truly understands how the world of football works." One of the most successful presidents in Italian football showed no regret. At Internazionale, he won every possible trophy, an unprecedented achievement: the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, which the Nerazzurri had waited 45 years for and which his father, Angelo, had led them to win. Now, he is more interested in talking about the past, present, and future of Internazionale and Napoli, and the different worlds surrounding these two teams.

Question: Mr. President, but you once did something rather unkind to De Laurentiis: you took Mazzarri from him.

Moratti said: "Not at all. He was already tired of Mazzarri, he didn't want him anymore, he understood that the cycle had come to an end. And I would never hurt him, he shouldn't be treated that way. He brought in Benítez, which I thought was a great move. Later, when I was told I could sign Hamšík, I also backed down. It was my mistake not to sign him when he was still playing for Brescia: Aurelio is a respectable person."

Question: Does his becoming the owner of Napoli also owe to one of your refusals?

Moratti said: "Exactly. When Napoli went bankrupt and it was decided they would restart from Serie C, a fellow Serie A president almost woke me up in the early hours, telling me it was a great opportunity for me to invest in the South and revive that historic club. I unhesitatingly refused: I know that city, those fans, and they shouldn't have a president who can't dedicate all his time and passion to a club like Napoli. I already had Internazionale, and I couldn't be distracted by anything else."

Question: But, in a sense, besides Internazionale, you also won a Serie A title in the South?

Moratti said: "That's right, in Cagliari. Because my father didn't want Juventus to get Gigi Riva, whom they had almost signed. So, those of us who cared about Sardinia secretly bought that club within a few days. Riva ultimately didn't go to Juventus."

Question: So you did something rather unkind to Lawyer Agnelli?

Moratti said: "But he was a true gentleman, and of course he understood what had happened, but he never spoke to anyone about it. Besides, he wasn't a very talkative person to begin with."

Question: Your father Angelo was the president during the Grande Internazionale era. What are your memories of Internazionale playing against Napoli back then?

Moratti said: "When I was a child, I was always afraid of one player: Nordahl. To me, he was like the Bogeyman. I would get goosebumps when I saw that giant figure standing in the centre of the field during a derby. When Napoli came, I was fascinated by Pesaola and Luís Vinício. They were very likable and approachable. So, whenever there was an opportunity, in 1966, the last year before we sold Internazionale, we signed 'the Lion' Vinício from Vicenza. Perhaps that was also to prevent him from going to another team. But I still remember the goal he scored against Foggia as if it were yesterday."

Question: What are De Laurentiis's merits?

Moratti said: "I admired Napoli during the Maradona and Careca era, that was a team capable of creating magic, and they had Diego, who in my opinion was one of the greatest players in the world. But at the time, it felt like it was just a phase linked to the Argentinian's presence. In fact, as soon as the Maradona cycle ended, a long decline began. De Laurentiis was clear from the beginning that he was building a project that didn't depend on individual players, but on a healthy club structure, and therefore could last and be successful. He has firmly controlled Napoli for over 20 years, and has never given the impression that he wants to hand over the reins."

Question: Allegri against Chivu, what do you expect?

Moratti said: "Allegri is very experienced, a mature coach who knows the secrets of this complex world. The team he coaches, in my opinion, is one of the strongest in Serie A, and he knows how to win. What surprises me about Chivu is that he can handle various situations, perhaps not ordinary ones, in a very straightforward way. He knows how to control the team and get everyone on board. Allegri's experience is extraordinary, his calm demeanour doesn't surprise me, that's his normal state. And he can make everyone behave."

Question: Chivu was one of your treble-winning heroes.

Moratti said: "Unforgettable. Mourinho also liked him very much because he had strong leadership: he was like a coach on the field. After his skull fracture in the match against Chievo, I was worried about his health. But he responded to all of this like a rock: a hole in his head, but he immediately showed immense courage. In less than a month, he was back on the field. But I remember him telling me privately that every time he headed the ball, his vision would go completely black for two or three seconds."

Question: Napoli didn't make any major signings in this transfer window, while Internazionale did the opposite.

Moratti said: "Perhaps De Laurentiis is right. Relying on a familiar team and maintaining continuity, you can also try to win without paying the price of waiting for new players to adapt. I could never do that: in this regard, I'm weak. If I liked a player, I would go and get him. But that's not necessarily the right approach."

Question: If it were now, who would you spare no expense for?

Moratti said: "I've always liked Premier League players, so Internazionale's transfer market has been good. But I wouldn't let Como's Nico Paz slip through my fingers."

Question: Did you anticipate Conte leaving Napoli?

Moratti said: "Knowing his personality, I'd say no. And I'd add: a Serie A without Conte on a bench is a big advantage for all competitors, as it will make the title race more balanced. Seeing a league without him does have some impact. Because everyone knows: Conte is either first or second."

Question: Does Gasperini coaching Roma surprise you?

Moratti said: "No, he's always been able to make his teams play very well, and this Roma team is also very entertaining, always looking for vertical passes. But it didn't work out well when he worked with me, and he had bad luck: he didn't win a single game, not even a friendly. What could I do? That's how seasons are: for example, Allegri's season at Milan."

Question: What kind of game do you expect for Internazionale against Napoli on Saturday?

Moratti said: "With a match like this coming so early, plus the hot weather, the risk is that the field might be dominated by fear of making mistakes. Sometimes fatigue makes players avoid making brilliant technical moves, and instead focus on the basics. In any case, I hope it won't be an uninteresting game. Obviously, it's not decisive, nor can it be: but no one wants to lose such a high-profile match. After all, for the past two years, Internazionale against Napoli has been the main storyline of Serie A."

Question: McTominay will not play.

Moratti said: "I'm sorry, because I've always liked British players. He comes from a football tradition that has always impressed me. But Napoli also has De Bruyne: he's elegant, with excellent ball control. His level has grown in the Premier League. He is adapting to the rhythm and tactics of Italian football."

Question: Are you satisfied with the VAR changes?

Moratti said: "Undoubtedly, the less it intervenes, the better everything works. Those emotionally tense waits and heart-wrenching delays will also be reduced. Of course, until the next mistake occurs, hopefully that mistake won't take us back to the past."

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