The Argentine, fresh world champion in Qatar, also sunk Verona in a crazy start to the year: “It won’t be easy, but our history asks us to win”
Inter’s 2023 started in the sign of… Taurus. Another goal from Lautaro, the number 11 of his Nerazzurri season. The Argentine, world champion in Qatar, is the team’s top scorer, the one who pulls it out of difficult moments. On Tuesday it was his shot, deflected, which led to the draw with a handful of seconds to go, when Parma saw the sensational qualification for the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup. Against Hellas, on the other hand, he was once again the one to steer the match onto the right track for Inzaghi, after less than 3′. If the match with the Gialloblù could have been complicated especially from a psychological point of view, Toro gave him a big push in the right direction and from then on the team held on, risking practically zero.
NOW THE CUP
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At the end of the match Martinez did not hide his satisfaction and his confidence in view of the future: “We can still hook Napoli – he said -, but now we can no longer make mistakes. We have to win all the points that are missing from now to the end. Against Verona knew it would be a tough, tough match because they play man-to-man and make you throw a lot. It was important to find the advantage immediately and then check their reaction.” Our thoughts now turn to Wednesday’s Italian Super Cup: “It will be a derby, a final and I don’t expect an easy match. However, we have to do our job to win the trophy. For us it is a very important appointment and we must continue to win because our history requires it. We have quality players and right now the only thoughts are to rest, prepare well and… bring the cup back here”. Post-World Cup final: “My attitude must always be the right one and I try to do my best to help the team and make people happy. It was the same attitude I had in Qatar, but I had been carrying an ankle problem for a month and I wasn’t at the top.”
More leaders
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Non-trivial words that confirm its maturation. If in the first four and a half Nerazzurri seasons Martinez did not always have a continuity of performance as a great striker, in this beginning of 2023 the number 10 has played 4 games and scored 3 goals. Above all, he has always beaten the opposing goalkeeper in the last 3 matches in which he has been the owner. The boy from Bahia Blanca returned from the World Cup with a crazy conviction: anyone who thought he might be tired or satisfied was very wrong. Compared to the past, Lautaro is even more of a leader, more decisive. It’s like something clicked in his head. At twenty-five and a half he has an important maturity and already 6 trophies on the showcase. He aims to add another on Wednesday: he would be the fourth with the Inter shirt, after the 3 won with the national team.
QUOTA 25
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Lautaro is back from his best season in Milan, but he wants to improve further. In 2021-22 he scored 25 goals in all, 21 in the league. Now, as mentioned, he is at 11 after 25 games played. He has another 20 ahead of him in the league, at least two in the Champions League plus the Super Cup final and at least one other round of the Italian Cup. In all, therefore, a minimum of 24 official commitments. Quota 25 centers, therefore, may be within his reach, especially if he maintains the average of this beginning of 2023. The thing he considers a priority, however, is to continue winning with Inter because, after raising the 2021 championship, he does not want no longer stop. And on Wednesday, AC Milan will be up against him, who took the Italian flag from him last May, Martinez will be even more motivated than usual. Expect it in the Qatar version or, if you prefer, in the 2023 version.
January 15, 2023 (change January 15, 2023 | 08:49)
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