Lautaro Martinez believes Inter’s Champions League failure was a key factor behind them winning the Serie A title.
The Nerazzurri were widely tipped to reach at least the last 16, but instead they finished bottom of their group behind Real Madrid, Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Antonio Conte’s side have since put their European disappointment behind them in emphatic style, running away with the league after an incredible second half of the season.
“When we went out of the Champions League, we spoke a lot about it,” Lautaro told Sky Sport Italia, in an interview which will be released in full before tomorrow’s Derby d’Italia against Juventus,
“We only had this objective (the scudetto) left, so we had to go and grab it and we worked so hard.
“We’re here at Appiano Gentile every day thinking about what we need to do.
“We’ve done it and we’re very happy (to be Serie A champions).”
Lautaro has beaten his personal best tally for goals in a single Serie A season (15), most recently scoring during a 5-1 win over Sampdoria last Saturday.
El Toro is persistently being linked with a move away from Inter due to their financial problems, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both thought to be interested.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are also reportedly interested in the 23-year-old.