Inter’s Argentinian international attacker, Lautaro Martinez, spoke to Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on the day of the Derby d’Italia, on a wide range of topics.
“We cannot fail, every point counts to help us achieve our target. We are doing well, more so than some of the results suggest. We have to play well in the derby.”
Did you expect to make more progress in the other competitions?
“Yes. Against Lazio we ended up losing on penalties and then we had some bad luck. In the Champions League we started off really well then we fell off. In the Europa League I was very confident, because I saw how charged the team was. Instead we ended up losing at home, we were all very sad and hurt.”
Can the distance between Inter and Juventus be made up as early as next season?
“Just looking at the points one would think the difference is huge. We are aware of it, but we have to change this next season. We are a great club, it is essential that we do this. My big dream is to win a championship with Inter, but we need to work for it and not just talk about it.”
Did your season go just like you expected it to?
“I have played many minutes on the pitch, so I am happy. During preseason I played and scored a lot, then I had to go to the bench until things changed and I became a starter.”
Did you ever think of leaving when you weren’t playing much?
“In those moments, everything comes to your mind. I came from Racing where I always played, but here I had competition from Icardi, one of the best strikers around. I knew it would be difficult to play since it would have to be either me or him. I thought of Argentina, of wasted opportunities, and of a lot of things.”
What is the first thing you told your father after the situation with Spalletti?
“I called him and I shouted that he shouldn’t have done it, he shouldn’t have allowed himself to do it. He’s a human being, he can make mistakes, he was also a footballer so he immediately understood. He deleted the tweet, but it was too late, so he apologized to me, then called the coach to apologize.”
You became a starter after the Icardi situation. Have you talked to Mauro during those days?
“Of course. I always told him how important he is for the team, but I also told him that the problems existed between the managers and his wife and agent and had to be solved directly by them.”
Do you feel a lot of weight on your shoulders?
“No, I never had any doubts. When I met Ausilio he asked me which number I would prefer, and I said 10, it’s really special.”
Dybala also wears the number 10..
“Paulo is a great player. He will always help you improve or score more. I cannot say anything about his future.”
Has your playing style changed since moving from Argentina to Italy?
“Changed no, but I had to add different ingredients to it.”
Did Spalletti add those ingredients?
“In training, he helped me improve my technique and ball control. He always tells me that he is surprised by my learning abilities.”
When will your contract be renewed?
“You have to ask the directors.”
Why do they call you Toro?
“At Racing I had two friends, Brian Mansilla and Santiago Reyes, who gave me that nickname because of the strength I had on the field.”