Inter’s Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez is targeting to win his first title as a professional footballer with the Nerazzurri in Friday’s Europa League final in Cologna at the RheinEnergieStadion, he told UEFA.com moments ago.
The former Racing Avellanada player expressed his ambition that he wishes his first title as a professional to be with the Nerazzurri whilst also expressing remorse at not winning the Serie A title, finishing 1 point behind Juventus.
“I’m very happy because we are very close to achieving one of our goals – to lift a trophy – and that’s the main thing, isn’t it? Let’s hope that our last match [of the season] will be a great day, and we’ll bring the trophy back to Italy.
“I think the team’s personality and day-to-day work ethic have shown that Inter are growing [as a team] and building to achieve great things. And, on a personal note, [I want] to try to win my first title with Inter, which would be very special. It’s the first final [for me]; it could mean the first trophy of my career.
“It’s been great [in Germany]. It’s been a very difficult year for everyone, but we’re actually very happy with what we’ve achieved since the year started. We’ve grown a lot, in fact. And we’re feeling good in Germany. We’re very focused, very involved in what we’ve got ahead of us. And we’re preparing really well.
“However, I honestly think we’re satisfied, but perhaps with a sour taste in the mouth for finishing only a point behind Juventus. But now we are showing that we’ve grown, that we’re very united as a group. And that’s important for what lies ahead.”
Lautaro then went on to heap praise on Inter coach Antonio Conte, singling him out as a big reason behind the success he has experienced during this past season.
“I’ll always be thankful to him because as soon as he arrived at Inter he called me, when I was on holiday after the Copa América. He’s a coach who trusts me and that has helped me to grow.
“He’s helped me to change my mentality as well – not just me, but the whole group – and this is really important for us at Inter. Hopefully we can continue on this path.”
The Argentinian international the turned his focus to the Europa League final and Sevilla whom he believes will be a tough opponent in Friday’s final, given the La Liga outfits extraordinary success in this competition.
“What do I expect of Sevilla? A tough opponent, one that presses, gets around the pitch and plays great football. That’s why they’ve reached the final. We have to study, train and prepare ourselves like we’ve done in every game so that we’re able to stop the things they do well and counter them to benefit from that.
“[Sevilla have] reached many finals and that’s for a reason. It means they’re a serious team, a team that plays well. So we’ll watch out for what they can do. But we’re mainly focused on ourselves.”
However, the striker underlines that the Nerazzurri are fully focused on themselves and believe in their own ability.
“We’re focused on our job, we’re focused on Inter, on what it means to have reached a final after such a long time, and on what it can mean to lift a trophy at the moment. Right now, we’re very close to it. We have the chance, the possibility, and we’ll play like we have to.”
