Legendary former Inter defender Marco Materazzi feels that current Nerazzurri striker Lautaro Martinez is a player who goes by his instinct on the pitch.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, the former defender also spoke about new signing Robin Gosens, who could challenge his record for goals scored by a defender.
Like many top defenders, Materazzi also knew how to be a threat in the opposition penalty areas, and was even capable of hitting double figures for goals in Serie A.
Gosens has a different profile to Materazzi, playing as a wing-back rather than as a central defender and relying on his speed, technique, and intelligent movement to get on the end of good chances.
However, the German has already more than shown with his time at Atalanta that he has the pedigree to become a top-scoring defender in his own right.
Materazzi began by noting that “Having been inducted into the Inter Hall of Fame is a great source of pride, a feeling that I’ve truly arrived.”
“I thought the icing on the cake was the night in Madrid,” he said, referring to winning the Champions League by beating Bayern Munich, “but I realized that joining the Hall of Fame is what’s truly completed this wonderful journey.”
Of Martinez, he said that “Toro always tried to find the best way to score, often touching the ball one too many times to ensure that he doesn’t make a mistake.”
“But in doing this, he had lost his instinct,” he added, “which is his true strength. As we saw against Salernitana.”
Of the chemistry between Martinez and Edin Dzeko, Materazzi stated that “Great players have no problem playing together. On Friday they scored five goals between them.”
“It may have been against Salernitana, but they’re still five goals in Serie A,” he stressed.
Of January arrival Gosens, the former defender stated that “Fundamentally, Inzaghi has to find a way to get him and Perisic to play together.”
Of the possibility that the 27-year-old can break his record for goals scored by a defender in Serie A, twelve during the 2001-02 campaign, he said that “If anyone really has to beat it, I hope it’s an Inter player.”
Of Nicolo Barella, he said that “He and Brozovic are the true heart and soul of Inter. For two months Nicolo has not played at the level that he’s capable of and against Salernitana, apart from the two wonderful assists, he’s looked very good but not truly showing what he’s fully capable of.”
Of Inter’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Tuesday, the former defender stated that “You have to go there believing that you can do it.”
“In football anything can happen,” he emphasized. “They aren’t Martians, the first leg match proved it.”
