Legendary former Inter midfielder Nicola Berti feels that striker Lautaro Martinez is the player who can make the difference for the Nerazzurri in this evening’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against AC Milan.
Speaking to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, the 54-year-old predicted that Martinez will announce a return to form by scoring against the Rossoneri in the derby clash.
Martinez has been in the midst of one of his worst dry spells over the past few months, scoring only once since December 17, which was from the penalty spot.
However, the 24-year-old has continued to show the kinds of hard-working performances that have made him a regular in the team, and has also shown recent flashes that he could soon get back to his best.
The Argentine made an appearance from the bench against Genoa which looked to have been his most incisive in some time, and Berti has faith that he can inspire the team to a win over their city rivals this evening.
“While Dzeko and Sanchez can do something, I expect a lot more from Lautaro,” he said. “I feel that we’ll win and that Toro will return to scoring goals.”
He added that “The important thing is that Dumfries is on the pitch. The Dutchman is growing from game to game. In any case, Lautaro will be decisive.”
Of the Nerazzurri’s recent form, Berti said that “After the November derby we started to fly, then our heads got clouded after the February derby.”
“Starting with tomorrow’s derby we have to get back on track,” he added. “A month ago we dominated completely for over an hour. Then we had a blackout that has let us lose our focus and inspired Milan again.”
