Inter assistant coach Massimiliano Farris believes that strikers Lautaro Martinez and Alexis Sanchez showed their quality and value to the team despite neither getting on the scoresheet against Empoli.
Speaking to InterTV after the match, Farris stated that both players would have deserved goals for their performance and also lauded them for both providing assists for their teammates in the 2-0 win.
Sanchez was handed his first start of the campaign with Edin Dzeko given a rest, while Martinez started the second match in a row as he looks to recapture his scoring form from earlier in the season.
Neither forward was able to find the back of the net, but their contributions were nevertheless absolutely vital, with Sanchez finding Danilo D’Ambrosio with a great ball to open the scoring and Martinez helping to wrap up the win with his assist for Federico Dimarco on the Nerazzurri’s second of the match.
Farris described the match as a “Very good performance of the team beyond the result, which could have been even bigger especially with out numerical superiority when Empoli went down a man.
“But the important thing is that the performance came as we had been prepared ,and that the guys played the match that we had anticipated, and therefore a strong team like ours can go out onto the pitch and demonstrate its superiority.”
“We are sorry and well aware that we have lost some points in the last few games,” he reflected, “some episodes that we do not want to think about because we have a strong club.
“But in response, the coach and the team go out on the pitch to give their best and today the team produced a very good performance and the result that was needed.”
On the rotated starting eleven for the match he stated, “it is fundamental because with the logic of rotation, since there are so many games.
“Unfortunately some players are forced to remain on the bench and it is difficult to train and then not take the pitch.”
“But when you happen to get on the pitch you need great performances from everyone,” he stressed.
“I mention names because the goals of Dimarco or D’Ambrosio are not always necessary, however, they are added value.”
Of Federico Dimarco Farris stated that “He knows how to do everything. The numerical superiority was managed well, we were calm in possession, and showed precision and intensity because we must never give up physically and mentally.”
“We’re happy at having allowed some players catch their breath,” he went on.
“I repeat there is only a hint of regret because both Sanchez and Lautaro deserved a goal today but we keep them for the next match.”
“We know this world very well and we know that the player is never happy to leave the pitch,” he continued, “and the striker who does not score even more so.
But when everything remains within the limits of good behaviour and respect there is no problem at all, indeed, it is right that a player is not happy.”
“But both of the two of them gave us a great assist and it is right that their teammates will pay them back soon,” he said of the duo.
