Inter striker Lautaro Martinez believes their early elimination from the Champions League saw the team change their mentality as they went on to win the Scudetto.
Antonio Conte’s side were knocked out of Europe in December after finishing bottom of their group, but have enjoyed fine form since the turn of the year to win the Serie A title for the first time since 2010.
In an interview with Italian television broadcaster DAZN today alongside Romelu Lukaku and as reported by FCInterNews.it, Martinez spoke of their disappointment in Europe as well as the impact of Conte on the Nerazzurri.
“After the defeat against AC Milan and the exit from the Champions League, we changed our minds, our way of thinking and working, because we wanted to win something,” the Argentina international declared.
“I thought that in the end it would be closer and there wouldn’t be this gap in the table . The Scudetto is an incredible emotion for me, it is the first time for me, I have always finished second previously. I greet all the Inter fans. Enjoy this moment which is so important in the history of Inter.
“Conte gets involved in training and he is the bull always runs in the middle of the circle, but now he doesn’t play anymore because he says he has hurt his knee. Every day he wants to improve. Even now, though we have already won, he continues and remains fired up.
“He shouts more at me, but to both of us [along with Lukaku]. After 20 minutes he shouts at me, after 30 to Lukaku. It depends. In the second half, if the referee gives a foul, he yells at me ‘Lauti the game has begun’, but in reality maybe it is already over.
Martinez reflected on key moments from across the season, including victories over Milan and Fiorentina, with the latter seeing a suspended Conte drawing attention for using a phone to command his orders.
“We lost the first derby, then we won in the Coppa Italia. We were more nasty. It was nice, he [Lukaku] was fired up.
“Against Fiorentina, Torino, and Benevento, Conte was banned. He called the team manager on the phone and was put on speakerphone to the whole team during the half time break.”
The former Racing Club striker has enjoyed a prolific partnership with Lukaku in attack and felt that the Belgian’s arrival in 2019 had helped him develop, in addition to other teammates.
“When he arrived, I had already been at Inter for a year. We talked for hours about how each played and how the other moved. And that was where all the affection and everything we bring into the pitch began.
“He told me the first day that I would score many goals with him and in the end he gave me even more assists.
“[Matteo Darmian] always trains well, it’s positive. He plays left and right, if you ask him to go in goal he would. I think guys like him are important for the team. Eriksen is a maestro. In his first training session he scored two goals from outside the area.
“[Marcelo Brozovic] He has no coolness, he is crazy. He is a phenomenon, he is good, intelligent but he does not have a head. When he misses a pass, it is always the fault of the others.
“[Achraf] Hakimi is an important character. The coach put him in straight away. At the beginning he was disoriented, but now he is important. He trains well, he is careful, he learns Italian and he is growing.”
Much of Inter’s success has been built on a resolute defence, and Martinez praised them for their impact in the Scudetto triumph.
“It is important. They say that the pressure begins with us, but the attack begins with them. We are happy as attackers because if you make a mistake, someone behind has to save you and they almost always do it,” he added.
